Comments Policy

Comments Policy New approaches are needed to address the entrenched causes of poor oral health as a major contributor of general ill health and reverse the trend of rising chronic oral conditions like tooth decay, our most common disease affecting 11 million Australians every year. Children need to learn the skills to prevent and to reverse this demineralisation every day and Easter means more carbohydrate fuelled episodes of acid demineralisation of teeth which involves over 90% of senior adults. All cavities occur from acid demineralisation that exceeds saliva, fluoride or other remineralisation like Recaldent, where carbohydrate rich food like sugar confection is left on tooth surfaces with resident plaque bacteria. While a drop of food dye on teeth helps show most plaque bacteria can be seen at gum margins of accessible tooth surfaces and most food is left trapped between teeth, over 80% of cavities occur inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces where brushing cannot reach while saliva and fluoride toothpaste have no access to neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth like on other more accessible surfaces. While chewing sugarless gum after eating is helpful, gum does not absorb or expel saliva. Chewing fibre like celery after eating forces saliva inside trapped food to dilute carbohydrate like sugar, neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day morning and night is important to protect accessible tooth surfaces, but brushing cannot reach inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces so it is very important to chew toothpaste before brushing but HOW?? If you agree, contact your local member to request that health ministers initiate an evidence based Oral Health Promotion Reform project like SupertoothNDK with Good Food Friends. www.supertoothndk.org

Easter and Tooth Decay

Easter means more carbohydrate fuelled episodes of acid demineralisation of teeth which leads to 11 million Australians to develop a cavity every year. Tooth decay is our most common disease and children need to learn the skills to prevent and to reverse this demineralisation every day for a healthy life head first. All cavities occur from acid demineralisation that exceeds saliva, fluoride or other remineralisation like Recaldent, where carbohydrate rich food like sugar confection is left on tooth surfaces with resident plaque bacteria. While a drop of food dye on teeth helps show most plaque bacteria can be seen at gum margins of accessible tooth surfaces and most food is left trapped between teeth, over 80% of cavities occur inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces where brushing cannot reach while saliva and fluoride toothpaste have no access to neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth like on other more accessible surfaces. While chewing sugarless gum after eating is helpful, gum does not absorb or expel saliva. Chewing fibre like celery after eating forces saliva inside trapped food to dilute carbohydrate like sugar, neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day morning and night is important to protect accessible tooth surfaces, but cannot reach inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces so it is very important to chew toothpaste before brushing but HOW?? If you agree, contact your local member to request that health ministers initiate an evidence based Oral Health Promotion Reform project like SupertoothNDK with Good Food Friends. www.supertoothndk.org

brushing cannot reach where cavities occur

Tooth decay is easy to prevent, yet even with fluoridation, decay is our most common disease affecting every family including 11 million Australians every year.


Over 80% of cavities occur inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces where food is left trapped after every meal or snack and brushing cannot reach.

Current toothbrushes cannot force fluoride toothpaste inside pits and fissures to remineralise demineralised tooth like on easy to reach surfaces where few cavities occur.

Heath ministers have a responsibility to initiate a review of Oral Health Promotion as in recent health reform recommendations.

Ministers for innovation, industry and trade should provide incentives to develop a toothbrush to force fluoride toothpaste inside pits and fissures.

Over 80% of cavities occur where brushing cannot reach.

Over 80% of cavities occur inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces where food is left trapped after every meal or snack and brushing cannot reach.


Current toothbrushes cannot force fluoride toothpaste inside pits and fissures to remineralise demineralised tooth like on easy to reach surfaces where few cavities occur.

Heath ministers have a responsibility to initiate a review of evidence based Oral Health Promotion as in recent health reform recommendations.

Ministers for innovation, industry and trade should provide incentives to develop a toothbrush to  force fluoride toothpaste inside pits and fissures.