According to WHO estimates, around 3.5 billion people worldwide (roughly 50% of the population) have an oral disease. There are over a billion more cases of oral problems worldwide than there are of the next five most common non-communicable diseases combined. Staggering data, right?
With this information, you might wonder which are the largest and most problematic dental problems. Well, here they are:
1. Dental caries of permanent teeth
The WHO estimates that over 2 billion people worldwide suffer from this condition. According to the organization, India is the leading country, with 18% of its population suffering from the condition.
Dental caries is the progressive deterioration of the crown and root tissues due to microbial activity. Streptococcus mutans is the principal pathogen that causes the condition. Cariogenic oral flora, or biofilm, interacts intricately with fermenting dietary carbohydrates over time to cause caries.
While this is the case, a person’s likelihood of developing caries will depend on several other factors, including their immune system, genetic predisposition, diet, tooth structure, biofilm (or dental plaque), pH, oral hygiene, and social status.
Lactic acid is a byproduct of the bacteria in the biofilm breaking down carbohydrates into sugars for energy. Over time, this reduces plaque’s pH to below 5.5 and triggers the removal of phosphate and calcium from tooth structures (demineralization), resulting in a cavity.
When equilibrium is restored, these minerals are regenerated into the enamel (remineralization). If demineralization surpasses remineralization, the collapse of enamel crystals results in a cavity (caries).
2. Severe periodontal disease
The WHO estimates that over a billion people suffer from the condition, with India leading the way, where over 20.3% of its population has the condition.
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection that affects the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It is made worse by inadequate brushing and flossing habits, which allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to accumulate on the teeth and harden.
It begins with swollen, red, and bleeding gums. If left untreated, it can extend to the bones near the gums, making chewing unpleasant. In the worst-case scenario, teeth may become loose and require extraction.
I asked my dentist whether the condition could be prevented, and my dentist explained that the best way to avoid periodontitis is to develop good oral and dental hygiene habits. You should begin this routine early and continue it throughout your life.
A good rule of thumb is to clean your teeth for two minutes at least twice daily, in the morning and before bed, and floss once daily.
Flossing before brushing helps remove loosened food particles and microorganisms.
You also should make it a habit to visit your dentist regularly. To be safe, visit the dentist every 6 to 12 months. If you have risk factors for developing periodontitis, including a dry mouth, using certain medications, or smoking, consider visiting the dentist more frequently.
Remember that good dental hygiene keeps your teeth and gums clean and eliminates bacteria that cause periodontal disease.
3. Dental caries of deciduous teeth
Many people think dental caries only affect permanent teeth, mostly in adults, but this isn’t the case. Even children with their primary teeth can be affected by the condition. There are over half a billion children around the world suffering from the condition, the majority of them in India.
Untreated dental caries can cause systemic repercussions such as pain, infection, and edema, necessitating emergency hospitalizations and teeth extractions under general anesthesia (GA).
This results in missed school days, reduced activity, food and sleeping issues, and parental distress. As a result, people’s quality of life regarding dental health is reduced.
To prevent tooth decay in your child, begin cleaning your child’s teeth the moment the first tooth shows. Brush their teeth, tongue, and gums for 2 minutes twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. You can also watch your child clean their teeth if they are old enough.
For those under three years old, use a small amount of toothpaste, roughly the size of a grain of rice. Beginning at age three, your child can use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
After the age of two, floss your child’s teeth every day.
Make sure your child’s food is well-balanced. You should limit sticky, sugary snacks. These include chips, candies, cookies, cake, and soft beverages.
4. Edentulism
Edentulism or teeth loss is a permanent disorder known as the “final marker of disease burden for oral health. Patients with edentulism demonstrate a wide range of physical characteristics and clinical issues.
Teeth loss impairs chewing and speaking, leading to poor esthetics, which reduces quality of life. Over 350 million people live without teeth, most of whom are in China.
There are numerous reasons for edentulism. While edentulism is typically caused by microbial or genetic disorders, which have significant individual and behavioral consequences, it can also be caused by iatrogenic, traumatic, or therapeutic factors.
Lower-income and education levels, lower oral health, and poorer overall health are all associated with tooth loss.
In current times and civilized countries where individuals have access to dental care, caries are the leading cause of tooth loss, followed by periodontal disorders.
To prevent teeth loss, you must have excellent oral care.
5. Lip and oral cavity cancer
Over 1 million people are living with lip and oral cavity cancer, the majority of whom are in India.
The most common clinical manifestation of the condition is a non-healing ulcer. Advanced tumors can invade neighboring structures, resulting in tooth mobility, trismus, sensory changes, and neck masses.
Lip cancer presents as an exophytic, crusted lesion with varied infiltration into underlying muscle (depending on the size of the primary tumor). The neighboring lip frequently exhibits actinic sun damage characteristics such as color change, mucosal weakening, and diverse locations of leukoplakia.
The cancers are brought about by a variety of factors, such as smoking, HPV, and genetics, among many others.
Parting shot
These are some of the leading oral problems affecting people around the world. As you have seen, most of the issues can be prevented by caring for your teeth. Avoid eating a lot of sugar, clean and floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly. You will be safe.