By Henrylito D. Tacio
Almost half of the world’s population suffer from oral diseases, with three out of every four affected people living in low- and middle-income countries, according to a new Global Oral Status Report released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The report also said global cases of oral diseases have increased by one billion over the last 30 years – a clear indication that many people do not have access to prevention and treatment of oral diseases.
“Oral health has long been neglected in global health, but many oral diseases can be prevented and treated with cost-effective measures,” said WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Just like in other countries, many Filipinos don’t consider oral health as a priority. So much so that seven out of 10 people have never been to a dentist, says Dr. Vicente Medina, dean of the University of the Philippines College of Dentistry.
The Department of Health (DOH) said around 87% of Filipinos have oral health problems. “Oral disease continues to be a serious public health problem in the Philippines,” the health department said.
According to the United Nations health agency, the most common oral health problems are dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal (gum) diseases, edentulism (total tooth loss) and oral cancers.
Dental caries results when plaque forms on the surface of a tooth and converts the free sugars (all added to foods by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices) contained in foods and drinks into acids that destroy the tooth over time.
Periodontal disease affects the tissues that both surround and support the teeth. The disease is characterized by bleeding or swollen gums (gingivitis), pain and sometimes bad breath (halitosis). In its more severe form, the gum can come away from the tooth and supporting bone, causing teeth to become loose and sometimes fall out.
Losing teeth is generally the end point of a lifelong history of oral disease, mainly advanced dental caries and severe periodontal disease, but can also be due to trauma and other causes.
Oral cancer includes cancers of the lip, other parts of the mouth and the oropharynx and combined rank as the 13th common cancer worldwide. This type of cancer is more common in men and in older people, more deadly in men compared to women.
In the Philippines, the prevalence of dental caries on permanent teeth has generally remained above 90% throughout the years, the health department said. “About 92.4% of Filipinos have tooth decay and 78% have gum diseases,” the DOH pointed out.
Filipinos bear the burden of gum disease early in their childhood. The National Oral Health Survey said 74% of twelve-year-old children suffer from gingivitis. “If not treated early, these children become susceptible to irreversible periodontal disease as they enter adolescence and approach adulthood,” the DOH said.
“Most oral diseases and conditions share modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption and an unhealthy diet high in free sugars that are common to the four leading non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes),” the WHO said.
Although tooth decay and gum diseases do not directly cause disability or death, these conditions can weaken bodily defenses. They also serve as portals of entry to other more serious and potentially dangerous systemic disease and infections.
Among children, poor oral health poses detrimental effects on school performance and mars success in later life. “Children who suffer from poor oral health are 12 times more likely to have restricted-activity days,” the DOH said.
In the Philippines, toothache is a common ailment among school children. It is also the primary cause of absenteeism from school. “Dental and oral diseases create a silent epidemic, placing a heavy burden on Filipino school children,” the DOH said.
The National Nutrition Council, in its website, provides the following timely tips on how to prevent oral diseases and improve your dental health:
Eating a balanced diet and limiting sugary snacks and beverages. Consumption of whole grains, low-sugar breads and cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and high-quality protein such as that contained in lean meats, eggs, fish, cheese, and dry beans are the best food choices for a healthy mouth.
Visiting your dentist regularly for oral exams and cleanings. It’s highly recommended to do a regular visit for dental maintenance at least two times a year. Or, your dentist may recommend on how often you need to visit for check-up and professional cleaning.
Reducing smoking and alcohol intake. Smoking can lead to bad breath and tooth discoloration due to increased build-up of plaque and tartar on teeth. Drinking alcoholic beverages, on the other hand, can increase acid in the mouth that can cause tooth erosion.
Using protective equipment for your mouth. Mouth guards help prevent injuries by cushioning blows to your lips, teeth and jaw when playing sports or travelling in motor vehicles.
Doing regular tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride-containing toothpaste (1000 to 1500 parts per million) helps protect your teeth and gums. Long-term exposure to an optimal level of fluoride results in substantially lower incidence and prevalence of tooth decay across all ages.
Extracting decaying teeth. Doing this prevents the spread of tooth decay and infection. A recent study showed that extraction of severely decayed primary teeth resulted in significant weight gain in underweight Filipino children. — ###
