DENTAL caries is a major public health problem globally and is the most widespread noncommunicable disease (NCD) worldwide, affecting 2.5 billion people.
That’s what the World Health Organization (WHO) says.
Also known as tooth decay, it is prevalent throughout the life course and affects both permanent teeth and deciduous (first) teeth It is estimated that there are 2 billion people with permanent teeth with caries and 510 million children with deciduous teeth with caries.
Consumption of free sugars is a major risk factor for overweight, obesity and dental caries, WHO says.
The consumption of free sugars in foods and beverages is the most common risk factor for dental caries and is a shared risk factor across several NCDs.
Free sugars include all monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods and beverages by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, as well as sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates.
Limiting the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake – and ideally to less than 5% – minimizes the risk of dental caries throughout the life course. WHO recommends that children under 2 years of age should not consume any sugar-sweetened beverages.
Dental caries can be prevented by avoiding dietary free sugars. Simple and cost-effective interventions are available to help people reduce their sugars consumption, and prevent dental caries. Simple, minimally invasive treatment for caries can be provided in primary health-care settings, without the need of a dental chair or specialist equipment.
Severe dental caries can lead to tooth loss and impair quality of life. According to the United Nations health agency, the consequences of untreated dental caries include: physical symptoms such pain, discomfort or chronic systemic infection; functional limitations such as challenges eating, speaking, breathing or sleeping; and detrimental impacts on emotional, mental and social well-being.
Dental caries affects all age groups, and can start with the eruption of the first teeth (deciduous teeth). The condition increases in prevalence in adulthood. In children, dental caries often leads to absence from school.
For adults, dental caries is associated with absence from work, and may negatively affect employment opportunities and reduce productivity.
In low-income settings, the majority of dental caries goes untreated. Teeth affected by caries are often extracted (pulled out) when they cause pain or infection.
Prevention and treatment for dental caries is usually not part of national health benefit packages. This often leads to catastrophic costs and significant financial burden for families and communities. Improving integration of oral health care services in primary health care and health benefit packages would improve access to prevention and management of oral diseases that better respond to the needs of populations.
The total direct expenditure for oral diseases among WHO’s 194 Member States amounted to US$387 billion or a global average of about US$50 per capita in 2019. This represents about 4.8% of global direct health expenditures.
At the same time, productivity losses from oral diseases were estimated at about US$42 per capita, totaling around US$323 billion globally.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., 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; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. 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; and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
