Oral diseases are a threat to people worldwide. Untreated oral diseases can lead to serious health problems and even death. According to the World Report, there are more than 650 million people suffering from some form of dental disease around the world today. However, the good news is that many of these conditions are preventable through healthy habits and practices. This article will help you understand why these diseases pose such a challenge and what you can do about it.
Why do oral diseases pose such a challenge?
It are not just health problems that are dangerous in and of themselves. They also make it harder to treat other diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, that affect millions of people every year. Furthermore, untreated It can lead to serious health problems and even death. According to the World Oral Health Report, there are more than 650 million people suffering from some form of dental disease around the world today. In addition, the good news is that many of these conditions are preventable through healthy habits and practices.
What are the most common oral diseases?
Mouth diseases are treatable and preventable, but they are an enormous public health challenge. The World Oral Health Report identified the top 6 dental diseases that affect people around the world: The majority of cases are dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal diseases, oral cancers, oro-dental trauma, cleft lip and palate, and noma (severe gangrenous disease starting in the mouth mostly affecting children). Untreated oral diseases can lead to serious health problems and even death.
Oral Diseases key takeaways
Dental diseases, while largely preventable, pose a major health burden for many countries and affect people throughout their lifetime, causing pain, discomfort, disfigurement and even death.
It is estimated that mouth diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people.
Untreated dental caries (tooth decay) in permanent teeth is the most common health condition according to the Global Burden of Disease 2019.
Treatment for oral health conditions is expensive and usually not part of universal health coverage (UHC).
Most low- and middle-income countries are unable to provide services to prevent and treat oral health conditions.
Dental diseases are caused by a range of modifiable risk factors, including sugar consumption, tobacco use, alcohol use and poor hygiene, and their underlying social and commercial determinants.
Strategies to tackle the problem
Oral Health Promotion: Prevention starts with oral health promotion and education. Many oral diseases are linked to issues like poor diet, tobacco and alcohol use. Lack of oral hygiene, lack of access to dental services, etc.
Targeted Oral Health Care: Beyond prevention, oral health care can be targeted to treat the specific oral diseases prevalent in your area. Treatment for oral diseases that have reached an advanced stage may require specialised care.
Care for All: To tackle the dental disease challenge. We need to ensure that oral health care is accessible to all. This means focusing on and prioritizing underserved communities in your area.
The costs of treating oral diseases impose large economic burdens to families and health-care systems. Oral diseases are undoubtedly a global public health problem, with particular concern over their rising prevalence. Global Health aims for optimal dental health for all people and elimination of global health inequities through health promotion, disease prevention, and appropriate oral care approaches that consider common determinants and solutions and acknowledge dental health as part of overall health.
