BAD HYGIENE AT ROOT OF TEETHING TROUBLES

A fast-paced lifestyle and poor awareness has resulted in a marked deterioration in the city's dental health, finds a study

Sharad Vyas & Madhavi Rajadhyaksha | TNN

Mumbai: Mumbaikars have a poor level of oral hygiene, that could be blamed perhaps on their busy schedules and little dental awareness, finds a recent survey.
    A study by the BMC-run Nair Dental College released last week revealed that out of a lakh patients who visited the hospital in the last one year, a growing number suffered from cavities, gum diseases and oral cancers, with dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontitis (inflammation of gums) emerging as the most common problems.
    Dentists said most people not only lack awareness about oral hygiene, but don't even have the time in their fastpaced lives to brush their teeth before going to bed. "Some don't have time even to brush their teeth once in a day, and they are not aware of its consequences. This is the reason why the life expectancy of our teeth is going down,'' said Dr Suhasini J Nagda, dean of Nair, the oldest dental hospital in the city.
    Dean of the Government Dental College, Dr Mansingh Pawar, echoed her concerns: "We find that there is low awareness about dental health among most people, particularly because dental diseases don't affect daily routine till the problem is really severe,'' he said. He felt the changing food habits — increased consumption of sweets, chocolates, ice-creams and biscuits, is resulting in the higher incidence of oral caries.
    Dr Pawar observed another trend, pointing out there were more cases of caries among city-dwellers whereas rural folk turned up with more of gum diseases. "This is because wrong eating habits are more prevalent among city-dwellers, while the rural population have issues of hygiene,'' he said.
    The survey also revealed that an increased number of patients are opting for minor cosmetic surgery to improve their smile and looks. About 4,000 patients admitted at Nair alone underwent various treatments like bleaching, giving veneers, reducing gaps between teeth — all to change the character of their smiles. Most of them wanted a confident smile and model-like teeth, said doctors.
    In fact earlier this year, Nair Hospital had celebrated Oral Hygiene Day on August 1 to spread awareness. As part of an extensive drive, several students conducted street plays and skits propagating the importance of oral hygiene and discouraging dangerous habits such as smoking and tobacco chewing. "We work with a simple motto — Teeth for a lifetime,'' Nagda added.
    Moreover, the hospital's community dentistry programmes were regularly held at institutions, schools, prisons and public areas. A mobile dental van reached out to more than 3000 patients through as many as 133 visits.
    The hospital's community awareness drive also focused on the underprivileged sections of society, with some 4,544 street children and prostitutes treated at various camps. Among them, gingivitis and tooth decay were found to be the two most common diseases.
COMMON DISEASES
CARIES What is it? It is tooth decay due to multiple growth of microbes. Causes: Wrong eating habits particularly overdose of foods containing refined carbohydrates such as sweets, biscuits, chocolates, icecreams and sticky packaged foods Symptoms: Initial chalky white appearance on teeth which subsequently turns black if left unattended. It may further deteriorate to dental cavities and increased sensitivity
GROSSLY AFFECTED TEETH
What is it? Severe form of teeth decay in which enamel and dental tissues are destroyed, generally seen in the grinders (teeth at the back of the mouth) Causes: Wrong food habits Symptoms: Change in appearance of teeth.
GINGIVITIS What is it? External gum disease
Causes: Bad oral hygiene. People at risk include those who don't gargle after eating or don't brush their teeth properly.
Symptoms: Gums turn red and may show signs of swelling or bleeding. If it progresses it could result in the loss of teeth
PERIODONTITIS What is it? Internal gum disease, a severe form of Gingivitis.
Causes: Bad oral hygiene. Symptoms: Decay in the soft tissues around the teeth.
DENTAL INFECTIONS
The most common form is oral cancer which accounts for nearly 45 per cent of all cancers. Causes: Consumption of tobacco and tobacco products particularly chewing tobacco (gutka) Symptoms: Shows up as lesions in the mouth.
FOR PEARLY WHITES
Brush your teeth atleast twice a day.
Gargle after every meal or snack
Avoid eating excessive sweets, particularly chocolates, icecreams and food stuffs containing refined carbohydrates
Visit dentists for preventive checks, just as you would your family doctor.