Poor Oral Health Haunts Millions Worldwide

The figures are frightening: An estimated five billion people worldwide have dental caries or tooth decay and most children have signs of gingivitis (bleeding gums). Periodontal disease, the major cause of tooth loss, is found in five to 15 percent of most populations.

This grim scenario comes from the World Health Organization (WHO) which said that oral diseases have become a global health problem in both industrialized and developing countries, especially in poor communities. This results in much pain, suffering, impaired function, and reduced quality of life.

“Worldwide, losing teeth is seen as a natural consequence of aging, but it is in fact preventable. There is a perception that dental caries is no longer a problem in the developed world, but it affects 60 to 90 percent of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults. Dental caries is also the most prevalent oral disease in several Asian and Latin American countries,” according to Dr. Catherine Le Gales-Camus, WHO’s assistant-director general for Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health.

Oral diseases not only affect individuals but it is also a burden to the family, the community, and society as a whole. Poor oral health can affect a person's ability to maintain a job or get a promotion. It can also contribute to lowered academic achievement and goals.

In the United States alone, dental problems account for 164 million hours of missed work, 51 million hours of missed school, and 41 million days of restricted activities. Although dental caries is largely preventable, it remains the most common chronic disease of children aged 5 to 17 years - 5 times more common than asthma (59 percent versus 11 percent).

The WHO said these problems can easily be solved by practicing good dental health habits such as brushing at least two times a day for 3 minutes after meals, flossing twice daily, and twice a year visits to the dentist. Community water systems should also contain optimum levels of fluoride to prevent tooth decay. In the absence of fluoride in the water system, turn to natural sources like fish and tea and use a fluoride toothpaste and/or mouthwash.

To complement brushing and flossing, use an effective antimicrobial mouthwash. Rinsing with mouthwash for 30 seconds twice daily kills many germs that cause bad breath, plaque, and gingivitis.

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