For years Fadwa Mollat missed a simple step in her daily routine which led to a major medical problem at a young age.
Over the next 12 years, she racked up about $50,000 in medical bills for various procedures to reverse the impacts.
There are concerns one in three Australians have experienced similar health issues.
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“I first noticed something was going wrong when I was about 26,” now 61-year-old Mollat from NSW said.
“I had bleeding gums, they were swollen, and it was hard to eat.
“Then later some of my teeth started to become a bit wobbly and turned yellow. It was painful.”
Mollat went to a periodontist, who told her she had severe gum disease that would take several procedures to reverse.
The specialist had to cut into her gums for a deep clean, then she had to get implants for six teeth she had lost.
“The gum disease causes your bone to disintegrate,” Mollat said.
“I had really good-looking teeth … my teeth were my pride and joy. I got depressed because I was losing one of my good assets.”
Mollat said the disease could have been avoided if she had flossed and brushed her teeth twice a day.
But she said when she was young, her parents did not understand about the importance of flossing and so she was never taught how.
She also admits she was sometimes too lazy to brush her teeth after a night out.
“I was (also) smoking. Back then, we knew smoking caused trouble with lungs but not gums,” she said.
Mollat said she has learned her lesson.
But experts are concerned about a lack of awareness of oral health in Australia.
Gum disease not uncommon
An Australian Dental Association survey of 25,000 people at the end of 2023 found many were not prioritising their dental health.
As a result, one in four respondents had inflamed gums and one in three had moderate to severe gum disease.
Australian Dental Association federal executive councillor Dr Chris Sanzaro said gum disease can worsen heart disease and diabetes, lead to pre-term newborns, and cause arthritic and bowel conditions.
“Healthy gums are linked with healthier people,” Sanzaro said.
But not many Australians are aware of the wider health issues of poor dental health, with the ADA research finding 25 per cent of respondents did not think about looking after their gums.
Sanzaro said not brushing teeth at least twice daily can quickly turn into gum disease.
“Gums are pretty quick to respond,” he said.
“There will be lots of blood and inflammation. You can see the colour of the gums when you look in the mirror, it’s quite a red colour.
“Once you start cleaning properly, the changes happen within the first 10 or 14 days — the gums look much happier and healthier.”
Cost of dental care
Cost-of-living pressure over the past 12 months has also led to three in five people putting off their annual check-up with a dentist, according to the ADA survey.
The federal government’s Senate Select Committee into the provision of and access to dental services in Australia found more funding should be dedicated to reducing the cost of oral health services for Australians.
Sanzaro said the ADA wanted the government to commit to a senior dental benefits schedule because aged care residents have been found suffering from rotten teeth and other oral issues.
It should also focus on the health of Aboriginal Australians and those living with a disability, he said.
In response to the report, the federal government noted recommendations to make oral health treatment cheaper for vulnerable Australians, but fell short of committing to the findings.
The government said it was expecting a report on improved access to public dental services for priority groups later this year.
“It’s quite disappointing after many years of this government saying they’re going to do something, but we’ve been unable to get any commitment from them,” Sanzaro said.