As the pandemic continues to disrupt our daily lives and overall wellbeing, dentists are constantly adapting to better ways to connect with patients to improve their oral health – and artificial intelligence is fast becoming our most promising tool.

An increasing number of dentists are turning to digital and AI tools to predict dental issues before they arise, and to treat common oral diseases early on.

What was once a manual task, AI technology is allowing dentists to analyse patient health data and match them with the best treatment option faster and more accurately than ever before. These sophisticated digital tools can even help dentists to detect and diagnose a tooth fracture with impressive ease and speed.

At my clinic, machine-learning technology has made it easier for patients to monitor their dental health from home, and to provide their dentist with real-time feedback sent from their smartphone.  This two-way digital approach allows us to spot any potential problems as quickly as possible, to provide custom treatment or preventative advice, and to arrange specialised care and clinic visits, when required.

For time-poor families, essential workers, older Australians, and for the millions who are isolating, especially, this technology has the potential to be a game-changer.

Oral wellness extends far beyond a healthy smile

Good oral health is more closely linked to an individual’s overall health and mental wellbeing than many people realise.

This must start from an early age, but sadly, we know that nearly half of Australian children have had tooth decay by the time they reached primary school. Later in life, poor oral health can lead to heart disease, pneumonia, pre-term labour in pregnancy, and osteoporosis, to name a few.

Oral diseases not only have a significant effect on overall wellbeing and quality of life, but they are also largely preventable. According to the latest AIHW data, there were around 72,000 annual hospitalisations for dental conditions that may have been prevented with earlier treatment.

It is hoped that AI tools can help us get on to top of these issues earlier and more quickly than ever before. However, for all the technology in the world, maintaining good oral hygiene, including regular tooth brushing, remains the hallmark of oral health.

Protecting your family’s oral health

Looking after your teeth at home is one of the best ways to prevent dental issues down the track. Top tips include:

• Prioritise a tooth-friendly diet: Try eating plenty of vegetables, fruit, dairy, and drinking around 2 Litres of water every day. The vitamins and nutrients in fresh, healthy foods are essential to strengthening and reinforcing the protective outer layer of enamel and the inner layer of dentin.
• Practice proper brushing habits: Brush twice daily for two minutes. For parents, practice using a small toothbrush with babies as soon as their first teeth emerge. Once your child’s teeth start to touch, begin cleaning between their teeth using a small amount of fluoride toothpaste (pea-sized for 3-6 year olds) morning and night.
• Pay attention to your flossing technique: Using your two pointer fingers, wrap a piece of floss around your fingers and guide the floss between the sides of the teeth and up to the gums. Move the floss back and forth gently to dislodge any food pieces and rinse.
• See your dentist regularly: Prevent oral diseases and get treated early with regular dental visits, ideally every 6 months.

Dr Fadi Yassmin is a Sydney-based longevity and aesthetics dentist and a pioneer in artificial intelligence and oral health.