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By Elizabeth Mwai
New figures reveal poor dental health is at an all time high even as recent studies affirm that oral problems affect overall wellbeing.
It has emerged that nearly 90 per cent of adults have at least one form of gum disease amid mounting evidence that some dental problems increases risk of heart disease and stroke.
According to the dentist board, a majority of Kenyans have decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT). Dentists blame the dire situation on increase in snacking and consumption of refined, sugary foods. Dr Chris K Waigaiyu, a restorative dental surgeon, says the number of people with DMFT is worsened by the fact that most people pay little attention to oral health.
"Most people don’t take teeth problems seriously. They ignore painful teeth until the situation becomes unbearable before seeking treatment," says Waigaiyu.
Western foods
He says most people perceive problems as cosmetic.
The number of people with DMFT rose from 0.1 per cent in the 1950s to two per cent in the 1980s.
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Consumption of sugar in recent years has risen three-fold as Western foods, which are full of refined sugars, replace nutritious traditional dishes. Increasing doctors are seeing cases of children as young as three with tooth decay.
Studies show consumption of sweets, biscuits and cakes among the young is worrying as over 70 per cent of them suffer from tooth decay. Waigaiyu says when someone consumes a sugary meal, the bacteria in the mouth produces acid in 30 minutes, which is enough to do damage the teeth.
The dentist says many people silently suffer from gum disease often characterised by bleeding, as they do not consider it as important enough to treat.
Teeth brushing
Teeth brushing is a luxury with a majority spending less than half a minute performing the task which doctors recommend should last as long as five minutes.
Poor hygiene combined with sugary foods lead to accelerated development of bacteria on the teeth weakening the gums. This loosens the teeth making them fall off.
Brushing with toothpaste improves the quality of teeth, maintains healthy gums and prevents decay.
This is because the acid from sugary foods remove important minerals from the tooth weakening it.
Recent studies have linked unhealthy gums with heart problems. Waigaiyu says some gum diseases produce bacteria that cause plaque on the heart valves.
Due to delays in seeking treatment, in most cases the dentists is left with no option but to pull out the tooth. "Teeth are not supposed to fall out. You should die with all your teeth," he says.
A tooth can be replaced through filling.
One can put on braces to reposition the gum and ensure teeth grow properly.
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