Blog #8, Dental disease, an oral lesson to be learned.

           If you are one of those people who floss your teeth everyday as the dentist recommends, you are surely one of a vast minority who have a high level of oral hygiene in the world. In many places in the world people do not brush or clean their teeth at all, these less-privileged areas typically don't have the resources or knowledge concerning oral health. Odds are if you are reading this blog you have the resources to ensure proper care of your teeth and gums, but as a whole the people of this planet do not adequately clean orally to the extent of preventing disease. In the article, Dental Disease: A Global Health Challenge, research suggests that 90% of the world population are vulnerable to dental health problems at some point in life. The article also presents research that states 60-90% of children have oral cavities, and almost all of adults will have a cavity at some point. Also, research shows that about 30% of the older population, (65-74) has no natural teeth. Keep in mind that a large region of Earth is still underdeveloped and lack the money and care to ensure proper cleaning and fluoride treatment. However there are other variables responsible for the vast percentage. Bad diet, such as one high in sugar, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol use are also to blame. Even minor habits or alterations such as chewing on ice, or grinding your teeth, and lip or tongue piercings can chip or grind teeth over time. For counties with little or no health system designed to combat bad dental hygiene, it seems that the best option is to be preventative. For developed nations the problem is not being uneducated in the area, it is simply applying it. With the tobacco industry’s being such big business it doesn't seem that that will deter many people who use such goods to stop. Also, with how expensive health care is in our country many people who can't afford it will simply have to suffer. Last year I was stuck in this situation when my father was laid off, suspending his insurance policy that covered him, my mom and me. To visit the dentist without insurance is too expensive for any regular salaried individual, especially one without a job. In the end, it is hard to say that global statistics will improve much over the course of this century. It is believable however that through public health initiatives and spreading of knowledge that people will one day begins to lead healthier lives,


Alex Rogers, 4/10/15, 12:45 pm
http://leadership.ng/news/417405/dental-diseases-a-global-health-challenge