There are two types of dental caries: chronic and acute. Both types are caused by acid demineralization, a process that causes cavities in the teeth. In both cases, a tooth’s enamel is lost, and the resulting cavities are a painful, embarrassing problem. Dental caries treatments vary from one form to another, depending on the severity of the condition. Listed below are treatment options and costs: The association between free sugars and dental caries has been proven by animal 역삼역치과 studies and human epidemiological studies.
Costs of dental caries
In industrialized countries, the cost of oral care is the fourth most expensive health issue. However, the cost of dental caries is so high in low-income countries that it often exceeds the health budget for the entire child. There are a variety of reasons for this high cost, including the episodic nature of dental care. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that the cost of treating decayed teeth is twice as high as the costs of other medical problems, such as diabetes.
Dental caries is one of the most common global health problems, accounting for 4.6% of the world’s total health expenditure. Children in low-income countries bear the brunt of these costs. Dental caries is the most common non-communicable disease, surpassing cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Despite its high costs, dental care remains an important part of preventive health care for children.
Free sugars are the essential dietary factor in the development of dental caries
Although the evidence linking free sugars to obesity is limited, recent studies have demonstrated a significant link between added sugar and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Reducing sugar consumption frequency is not enough to reduce non-communicable diseases. Nevertheless, it is important to reduce free sugar intake. In dentistry, dietary guidelines are often given in terms of frequency and quantity.
The key is to measure both variables to determine the relative importance of these factors. In human epidemiologic studies, only a few have measured the total amount of daily free sugar intake, from all sources.
Biofilm-mediated, sugar-driven, multifactorial disease
Biofilm-mediated, sugar-driven decayed teeth develop in the mouth early in childhood and are a determinant of oral health. It occurs as a result of an imbalance between dentin and tooth structure and is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, dietary intake, and behavioral and psychosocial conditions. It shares many risk factors with other NCDs, including high sugar intake, which leads to prolonged acid production and a change in the ph balance of oral biofilms. Moreover, it is associated with developmental defects in tooth enamel.
Several factors affect oral biofilms, including poor oral hygiene practices, consumption of sugar-rich foods, and smoking and alcohol use. While oral biofilms cannot be eliminated, they can be reduced. In addition, timely hygiene procedures are essential for the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. Brushing the teeth is an effective mechanical way to remove plaque biofilms, but it is not sufficient to eradicate the presence of these microbial communities. Moreover, the use of preventive products that inhibit the virulence factors of cariogenic bacteria can not correct the ecological imbalance between caries biofilms and resident microflora.
Treatment options
There are various treatment options for dental caries. The least poor SES group chose the extraction option over other methods. The most common dental treatments are tooth fillings and tooth extractions. The least poor SES group usually visits the dental clinic when they experience significant pain or tooth decay, which may require advanced dental treatment. The lowest SES group, on the other hand, usually chooses a cheaper method.
The distribution of dentists is unbalanced and the prevalence of dental caries is still high in developing countries. In Africa, the ratio of dentists to the population is almost one to five thousand, whereas, in high-income countries, this ratio is around one to two. In Nigeria, only 4125 dentists are registered, resulting in a ratio of 40,000 people per dentist.