Periodontal Disease Major Reason For Losing Teeth: Dentist

Oral and dental health is integral parts of good overall health and dental caries the most common chronic infectious disease of adult and childhood

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Oral and dental health is integral parts of good overall health and dental caries the most common chronic infectious disease of adult and childhood.

Talking to APP here on Tuesday, Assistant Professor consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Institute of the Dentistry of LUMHS Professor Dr Kashif Ali Channar said that the periodontal disease is a major reason for losing teeth, but there are some factors that appear to increase the risk.

He said that the oral and dental-caries and gum diseases are common in our society. These can only be prevented if we pay serious attention to teeth and smoking, inadequate oral hygiene and rheumatoid arthritis increase the risk of losing teeth due to periodontal disease.

He said that the periodontal disease is a major reason for losing teeth, but there are some factors that appear to increase the risk.

Dr Kashif Ali further said that the 95 percent of dental diseases can be prevented with proper care. The two most common dental diseases that prevailed in our society are the decay of teeth and pyorrhea and the early decay of teeth can be prevented if sugar in-take is reduced. It is the combination of plaque and sugar, which produces acid, which leads to the decaying of teeth, he added.

He said that the merge amount is being spent in public sector on research work and there is need for private sector to come forward and invest the required amount in research work.

Dr Kashif Ali further said that plaque is a complex bio-film containing various microorganisms that forms mainly on teeth and particularly between them, along the gingival margin, and in fissures and pits, adhering by a variety of mechanisms. If plaque is not regularly removed the flora evolves, and plaque may calcify, forming tartar, added.

He said that the acids readily damage teeth and the gastric acid or acidic drinks (fruit juices or carbonated drinks) can erode teeth, he added.

He suggested that the sugars, particularly non-milk sugars in items other than fresh fruits and vegetables, are the major dietary causes of caries and frequency of intake is more important than the amount.

Dr Kashif Ali advised the people about dietary that should start with recommending appropriate infant feeding and weaning practice and drinks other than milk and water should not be given in feeding bottles and should be confined to main meals.

He said that the saliva buffers may counter plaque acids, and thus chewing sugar-free gum or cheese after meals may be of value and fresh fruit and vegetables can also confer some protection against oral cancer. However, smoking or chewing tobacco and some other habits may contribute to periodontal disease and oral malignancy, and some chewed products containing sugars may predispose to caries, Dr Kashif said.

About the diet Dr Kashif Ali said that the reduce consumption and, especially, frequency of intake of food and drink containing sugar, food and drink containing sugar should be consumed only as part of a meal, Snacks and drinks should be free of sugars and avoid frequent consumption of acidic drinks.

He said that the dental patients with severe dental caries may experience chronic oral pain and infection, be malnourished and suffer from low self-esteem because of missing or defective teeth.

Dr Kashif Ali said that the risk factors for dental disease are presented to enable doctors to identify infants and toddlers at high risk for caries and the role of fluoride in caries prevention is discussed, with emphasis on dietary fluoride supplements.

He said that the use of the advanced technologies now become the need of the hours so that the medical community of the country could be able to find out new vistas in their respective fields and meet the challenges of the modern world.