Brushing your teeth twice a day is essential, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to oral health. Maintaining a healthy mouth goes beyond clean teeth - it involves prevention, professional care, and making smart lifestyle choices
World Oral Health Day, celebrated on the 20th of March 2025, drives this message home. It’s a global movement that pushes beyond brushing, encouraging people to take a comprehensive approach to dental health. Because let’s be honest — no amount of brushing can undo the damage of skipping check-ups, ignoring gum health, or relying on a sugar-heavy diet.
This is where oral health therapists and dental hygienists step in. Regular professional cleanings, personalised advice, and preventive care can mean the difference between a routine visit and a costly, painful procedure.
Understanding your options can help you plan ahead and avoid unexpected expenses. Oral health isn’t just about your smile - it’s a lifelong investment in your overall well-being and it may be time to start treating it that way.
The importance of oral health beyond brushing
Believe it or not, your mouth plays a key role in your overall health. Neglect it, and the effects can go far beyond cavities and bad breath. Here's how:
The mouth-body connection
Studies show gum disease is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream, leading to inflammation that can affect organs throughout the body. What starts as mild gum irritation can turn into a bigger problem if left unchecked.
Digestion starts in the mouth
Poor oral health can make eating difficult, leading to digestive problems and nutritional deficiencies. Issues like missing teeth, infections, or chronic inflammation can impact how well your body absorbs nutrients.
Oral health and mental well-being
Chronic dental problems can lead to pain, discomfort, and even self-consciousness about appearance, affecting confidence and social interactions. Anxiety around dental issues can also prevent people from seeking care, creating a cycle of worsening problems.
Professional dental care – More than just check-ups
Brushing and flossing are great habits, but they’re not enough to keep your mouth in top shape. Even the best home routine can’t catch everything, which is why regular professional care is a must. A visit to your dentist or oral health therapist isn’t just about checking for cavities — it’s about prevention, early detection, and personalised care that helps protect your teeth and gums for life.
The role of an oral health therapist
Think of an oral health therapist as your first line of defence against dental problems. They specialise in preventive care, education, and treatment, helping patients understand the best ways to care for their teeth and gums. From professional cleanings to fluoride treatments and early detection of gum disease, they focus on stopping problems before they start.
Why regular visits matter (even if you brush and floss daily)
Even if you’re meticulous about brushing and flossing, there are things you can’t see or reach on your own. Tartar build-up, early signs of gum disease, and tiny cavities can go unnoticed without a professional check-up. Regular visits to a dental hygienist or oral health therapist ensure these issues are caught before they turn into bigger (and much more expensive) problems.
Beyond brushing – What else impacts oral health?
Brushing is only the beginning when it comes to protecting your oral health. What you eat, how you care for your mouth beyond your toothbrush, and even your lifestyle choices all play a role in keeping your teeth and gums in top shape.
Nutrition for healthy teeth and gums
A balanced diet isn’t just good for your body - it’s essential for strong teeth and healthy gums. Calcium-rich foods like dairy, leafy greens, and almonds help maintain tooth strength, while vitamin C from citrus and berries supports gum health. Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots also act as natural toothbrushes, scrubbing away plaque as you chew.
Flossing, mouthwash, and tongue cleaning
Brushing alone only cleans about 60% of your teeth’s surfaces. Flossing removes plaque and food debris from between teeth, where cavities and gum disease often start. Antibacterial mouthwash helps control harmful bacteria, while tongue cleaning reduces bad breath and removes bacteria that contribute to decay.
The impact of smoking, alcohol, and sugar
Smoking weakens gums, increases plaque buildup, and stains teeth, making it one of the worst habits for oral health. Alcohol dries out the mouth, reducing saliva production, while sugary foods and drinks fuel bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Cutting back on these habits can make a big difference in long-term dental wellness.
Hydration and saliva production
Saliva is the body’s natural defence against decay. It washes away food particles, neutralises acids, and helps prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth. Staying hydrated supports saliva production, keeping your mouth protected throughout the day.
Stress and oral health
High stress levels can lead to teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw pain, and even gum disease due to increased inflammation. If you find yourself clenching your jaw or waking up with headaches, a dental professional can help with strategies like mouthguards or relaxation techniques to reduce the impact on your teeth and gums.
Are dental implants covered by health insurance?
Unlike general dental treatments like check-ups and fillings, implants typically fall under major dental services, which have different benefits and limits depending on your policy.
HIF’s dental insurance and major dental expenses
HIF offers Extras cover that includes major dental procedures, with benefits available under specific plans. If you’re considering dental implants, checking your policy’s annual limits, waiting periods and benefit amounts is crucial. To explore HIF’s dental insurance options, visit their Extras Cover – Dental Benefits page.
What about orthodontic treatments?
If you’re looking into orthodontic care — such as braces or aligners — these treatments are covered under certain Extras plans with set annual and lifetime limits. Details on orthodontic benefits can be found on HIF’s Extras Cover Comparison Table here
Key things to consider before starting treatment
- Check Your Cover Details & Benefit Estimates: HIF members can log in to the Online Member Centre to view their cover details, including limits, benefits, services, and waiting periods. They can also get an estimate for dental benefits before treatment.
- Waiting Periods: Some major dental treatments, including implants, may have waiting periods before benefits can be claimed.
- Annual & Lifetime Limits: Major dental and orthodontic treatments often have capped benefit amounts, either per year or over a lifetime.
- Choice of Dentist: HIF members have the flexibility to visit any legally qualified dentist in Australia, without being restricted to a preferred provider network.
Taking a proactive approach to your oral health
Brushing and flossing are important, but great oral health requires more than just daily habits. A proactive approach means staying ahead of potential issues, making smart lifestyle choices, and getting the right professional care when needed. Here’s how to keep your teeth and gums in top shape long term:
Go beyond brushing and flossing
Good oral health starts at home, but these extra steps can make a big difference:
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce harmful bacteria and prevent gum disease
- Clean your tongue daily to remove bacteria buildup that causes bad breath
- Stay hydrated to promote saliva production, which naturally protects against decay
- Limit sugary snacks and acidic drinks that can erode enamel over time
- Wear a mouthguard if you grind your teeth at night or play contact sports
Preventive care saves time, money, and discomfort
Regular check-ups with a dental hygienist or oral health therapist help catch issues like early-stage gum disease, small cavities, or signs of teeth grinding before they turn into bigger problems. Early intervention is key — treating minor concerns now can prevent costly procedures like extractions, implants, or root canals later.
Get the right dental cover for peace of mind
Taking care of your oral health shouldn’t be stressful or financially overwhelming. A good health insurance policy makes it easier to access preventive and major dental care when you need it. HIF offers Extras cover that includes benefits for general, major, and orthodontic dental treatments. To ensure you understand what’s included in your cover, check your benefits or request a dental benefit estimate from HIF before starting treatment.
Understanding HIF’s Extras cover for dental
Maintaining good oral health is essential, and having the right dental insurance can make all the difference. HIF offers flexible and affordable Extras cover options designed to support Australians in managing their dental care expenses effectively. To explore the difference levels of cover you can view our cover comparison table here.
Comprehensive coverage options
HIF’s Extras Cover for Dental is structured to cater to various oral healthcare needs, encompassing General, Major or Orthodontic Dental services:
- General Dental: This includes routine preventive services such as oral examinations, x-rays, scale and cleans, fillings, and extractions. Regular maintenance helps in the early detection and prevention of potential issues.
- Major Dental: For more complex procedures like dentures, crowns, bridges, and root canal treatments, HIF provides benefits under Major Dental coverage. These services are crucial for restoring and maintaining oral health.
- HIF’s Extras Cover includes benefits for orthodontic services such as braces, aligners, and other corrective treatments designed to straighten teeth and address jaw alignment issues. Since orthodontic treatments often span several months or years, it’s important to be aware of waiting periods and annual or lifetime benefit limits. Before starting treatment, HIF members can check their cover details and get a dental benefit estimate through the Online Member Centre to help plan for costs.
Preventive care emphasis
HIF’s dental Extras are designed to encourage proactive dental care. By covering a significant portion of preventive services, members are incentivised to maintain regular dental visits, which can reduce the likelihood of requiring extensive treatments in the future. This approach not only promotes better oral health but also helps in managing long-term dental expenses.
Support for major procedures
Understanding that major dental work can be a significant financial commitment, HIF provides benefits to help offset some of these costs. While coverage for procedures like dental implants may vary, HIF offers substantial support for eligible treatments. In Australia, all private hospital products must meet a “minimum standard,” requiring insurers to cover dental surgery at the Silver tier and above. However, HIF goes beyond this requirement by offering coverage earlier than mandated—dental surgery is included in our Bronze Plus policy and all levels above. For more details, refer to the government’s Private Health Insurance Reforms and compare them with HIF’s Private Hospital Insurance options.
Members considering such procedures should review their specific policy details and consult with HIF to understand the extent of coverage available. For a detailed breakdown of benefits, annual limits, and waiting periods associated with each level of Extras Cover, prospective and current members are encouraged to refer to HIF’s Health Cover Guide. HIF members also have access to the Online Member Centre, where you have 24/7 access to your policies details.
Investing in the right dental cover is a proactive step towards ensuring long-term oral health and financial peace of mind. With HIF’s tailored Extras Cover options, you can confidently manage your dental care journey.
Please note: Kirsty's blog is general advice only. For further information on this topic please consult your healthcare professional.