This week the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Western Australia is acknowledging Dental Health Week.
This year’s theme for Dental Health Week is all about gum health.
There are two main types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the most common gum disease and is caused by poor oral hygiene, which allows bacteria to collect on the teeth and gums, causing swelling and bleeding gums.
Periodontitis is a severe type of gum disease that is caused by destructive bacteria that can create pockets around the teeth. These pockets are spaces under the gums where more bacteria can collect and grow. This can lead to teeth loss.
The RFDS WA Dental Team work out of health clinics around WA to provide people living in regional areas and remote communities access to high quality dental care.
Dental Assistant Susan Kelly works out of our Halls Creek Clinic, amongst others, and is no stranger to the perils of gum disease.
As I mostly work in Halls Creek and Warburton, we often treat patients with chronic gum disease, which leads to multiple extractions,
said Susan“To improve oral hygiene and dental health it seems to work well on a more one on one basis. That is, giving the patient the tools and information required to care for their oral health. If they have children, we also discuss how to care for their children’s dental health and encourage the parents to bring their children in for an appointment.”
Our community partner Bamboo Buddy helps us to promote oral hygiene by supplying the RFDS with eco-friendly toothbrushes to provide to patients.
This Dental Week remember to take care of not only your teeth, but your gums too!
