Every second three-year-old in Poland has tooth decay. Parents are primarily to blame, because they do not go to the dentist with their children, do not make sure that they brush their teeth properly and do not pay attention to what their children eat. Meanwhile, caries in primary teeth increases the risk of permanent tooth loss.
– Over 80 percent 12-year-old children have irreversible carious lesions that need to be treated – says prof. Maria Wierzbicka, coordinator of the “Oral Health Monitoring” program. – About 15 percent 18-year-olds have a permanent tooth removed, which is unacceptable with the current development of dentistry – he adds. What’s worse, the number of permanent teeth removed increases with age. There is also an increase in the percentage of toothless people, who in the 65-74 age group account for as much as 43,9%. population!
Treatment of milk teeth
Why is this happening? Dentists believe that in our country there is still a myth that deciduous teeth are not treated. Meanwhile, this is a mistake. Firstly, healthy milk teeth increase the chance that permanent teeth will not undergo caries, and secondly, they reduce the risk of malocclusion. In addition, visiting the dentist’s office from an early age creates good habits.
Unfortunately, it takes a long time to visit a dentist under the NFZ insurance. According to Prof. Barbara Adamowicz-Klepalska, a national consultant in the field of pediatric dentistry, one of the reasons for the poor dental condition of Polish children is poor access to dental services. – Only 28,2 percent children and adolescents have access to dental services – says prof. Adamowicz- Klepalska, referring to data from the “Oral Health Monitoring” that has been carried out for 13 years. – When the school dentist institution was closed, many children lost contact with a dentist – he adds.
What food destroys teeth?
Sweets are also responsible for the poor condition of Polish children’s teeth. The principle promoted by many dentists that you can eat sweets only on one day of the week is not followed. For most toddlers, candies are part of their daily diet. Many parents are unaware that, just like sweets, sweet drinks also work. Access to them should also be restricted. Crisps are also dangerous. Although not sweet, they stick to the teeth tightly. Some toddlers stuff themselves with such crisps from an early age, and their parents won’t even think to brush their children’s teeth after such a meal.
Dental prophylaxis
An important element of dental education is the example set by adults. However, this is not the best either. Adults often lack knowledge about dental prophylaxis. Despite the fact that a healthy smile has become the standard thanks to TV commercials of toothpaste, Europeans’ knowledge about oral hygiene is not sufficient. The results of the first Eurobarometer survey on oral self-assessment of the inhabitants of the Old Continent, published by the European Commission, show that in 2009, the dentist was visited only by approx. 5% of the population. Europeans. It is true that most respondents do not complain about oral problems, but only 41%. has all natural teeth, approx. 15% had problems with chewing and nibbling food due to their own negligence, and 16% I had toothache and periodontitis. – In Poland, only 40-50 percent. of adults brush their teeth two or three times a day, and yet they are to be role models for children. A toothbrush in Poland is replaced most often, every six months, and not every three as it should. Only 20 percent. pregnant women heard from their gynecologist whether they had been to the dentist – regrets Teresa Bachanek dentist from the Supreme Medical Council.
Dental fluoridation
Clinical studies show that plaque visible to the naked eye on the surfaces of milk incisors is a harbinger of the rapid development of caries. This, in turn, heralds its appearance in the remaining milk. In this case, fluoride prophylaxis can help. Regular tooth cleaning from the moment of eruption of the milk incisors with the use of fluoride toothpaste significantly reduces the incidence of caries in the second and third years of life. So when your baby has his first baby milk, you should buy a fluoridated toothpaste designed specifically for young children. There is less fluoride in it than in preparations intended for adults. Until the age of 3, the amount of fluoridated toothpaste applied to the brush should be half the size of a small pea, and over the age of 3 it must resemble a whole pea. Toddlers need to clean their teeth by themselves, older children up to 8 years of age should use fluoridated toothpaste under the supervision of their parents, who must ensure that it is not swallowed.
Fluoride exposure is critical and we underestimate it. We have a problem of fluoride deficiency, so we have to deliver it – argues prof. Maria Wierzbicka.
Text: Halina Pilonis