Dental health is often underestimated among us. Most people don't care throughout their life about oral hygiene until they have to go to the dentist reluctantly when it is already in its worst state.
A significant number of people are affected by tooth decay, including kids and grownups. It is estimated that 60 to 90 per cent of school kids globally and nearly 100 per cent of adults have cavities, according to World Health Organization. And the problem lies in reluctance to consider this as a problem.
To understand how the doctors perceive this situation in Bangladesh, the author talked to Dr Shovon Banik, a Consultant Oral and Dental Surgeon who has his own dental clinic at Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Although he said the number of people coming for a regular dental checkup is small, it is increasing now.
"The situation is now getting better with the technological support and rising number of dental health promotional activities by convenient stakeholders."
Why tooth decays?
The only reason behind this is plaque formation which occurs due to microbial activity and dietary sugars of food in the mouth.
It is a whitish, saliva and debris material that gets accumulated on the enamel of the teeth and brushed away. Whenever the bacteria remain on the teeth, they convert the sugar into acid and damage the teeth by developing a cavity on the enamel, which result in the destruction of the tooth. The hole will expand and deepen if kept unchecked leading to toothache, infections, tooth loss.
Certain things can make you vulnerable to tooth decay, even though you cannot resist all of them, but some can be and which you must avoid for optimal oral health.
Poor oral hygiene
If you're not brushing and flossing after eating and drinking, the remaining bacteria and debris will form plaque which leads to the initial stage of tooth decay. Brushing your teeth at least twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and flossing cleanses bacteria and food debris.
Dr Banik said, "The most frequent dental health issues like tooth decay or cavities encountered by patients are mainly due to irregular and improper tooth brushing. In our country, people from rural areas tend to use coal, tree branches, etc. for brushing, and we also noticed a certain number of patients using one toothbrush for years."
Dry mouth
The best natural safeguard against tooth decay is saliva because it effectively nullifies mouth acid which is produced by bacteria and food during intake.
Saliva can also contribute towards a limited amount of fixation of dental caries by restoring the perfect pH balance of the body necessary for optimum oral health.
If the saliva is inadequate, or the mouth is dry, it can be a bit more acidic causing tooth decay.
Improper Diet
Foodstuffs including milk, ice cream, soft drinks, dried fruit, pastries, hard chocolate, candy, and chips will cause deterioration for a longer period. Drinking soda or other acidic beverages throughout the day will work as acid baths for your teeth.
Addiction
Nicotine or other narcotics may also put your teeth at risk. Tobacco creates a dry mouth and drug users often acquire a sugar craving which facilitates plaque formation. Cocaine coupled with saliva forms an acidic environment that erodes tooth enamel.
Methamphetamine is an especially well-known risk factor for tooth decay because of a combo of pharmacological effects and cognitive problems that do not promote optimal oral hygiene.
Medical conditions
Some medical problems, either lowering or elevating mouth acidity, have been associated with higher odds of tooth decay. Diabetes, acid reflux, eating disorders and allergies are all involved.
Medicines such as antiepileptics and antidepressants, along with heartburn may cause dry mouth. Likewise, eating disorders such as Anorexia and bulimia can lead to significant tooth loss and cavity. Stomach acid runs over the teeth and starts to dissolve the enamel after frequent vomiting too.
The way out is simple-- maintaining things consciously as Dr Banik suggested, " To prevent tooth decay, one must have proper and regular toothbrushing, flossing, and rinsing twice a day with salt-warm water, as well as get rid of bad oral habits like smoking, betel nut chewing, poor diet, etc."
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