(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
POOR Richie Rich. He may have bad teeth more than his peers who have less in life.
In a first meta-analysis of its kind, a study has shown that being rich may mean having more bad teeth. That is, for affluent children.
The meta-analysis – based on multiple scientific studies on the same subject – involved 65 researches that looked at 60,000 individuals aged 6 to 79 in 30 countries.
It showed a connection between socioeconomic status and tooth wear.
Tooth wear is the loss of tooth substance by means other than tooth decay or cavities. Tooth wear – such as eroded or chipped tooth — is a common condition that is often painful and compromises teeth function.
The meta-analysis, published in the Journal of Dentistry, revealed that tooth wear was worse among children in private school whose parents are rich and educated.
“The systematic review suggests the corrosive effects that soda, juices, and energy drinks have eaten away at some of the privileges provided by wealth and education,” sciencealert.com reported.
Rich families may be able to afford regular visits to the dentist. They can also afford sugary drinks and foods.
“Fizzy drinks, energy drinks and packaged juices are in many countries available to the affluent. And despite a focus on sugar, such as the implementation of a sugar tax in the United Kingdom, the diet/low-sugar/sugar-free alternatives remain acidic,” says Khaled Ahmed who researches dentistry and oral health at Griffith University in Australia.
“These dietary habits may predispose children of all socio-economic levels to erosive risk, but those from a ‘high’ [socioeconomic] area may be more frequently exposed than their counterparts due to increased access as a result of affluence in low- and middle-income countries.”
Conversely, the tooth wear of some children with low socioeconomic backgrounds may deteriorate as they grow older.
The meta-analysis showed that adults who have better education were less likely to develop tooth wear in the long run. That’s because they eat sensibly (read: healthy foods) and practice good oral hygiene.
“Wealthier adults not only have a lower risk but also improved access to dental treatment resulting in early identification and intervention,” says Ahmed.
“Adults with lower socioeconomic status were more likely to have tooth wear due to poor diet, underlying medical conditions such as acid reflux, eating disorders or stress and depression as well as limited access to dental care.”
The meta-analysis also suggests that socioeconomic status acts as a significant risk factor for dental complications in later life, dentistry.co.uk reported.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
