A new report from the WHO (World Health Organization) points out that 3.5 billion people, almost half (45%) of the world’s population, suffer from oral diseases. In the last 30 years, according to the document, there has been an increase of one billion new cases of patients with these health problems, of which 3 out of 4 registered in poor countries.
- Caries is the leader among the events and affects 2.5 billion people on the planet.
- Then there’s periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss, with an estimated one billion cases.
- Oral cancer ranks third, with 380,000 new diagnoses annually.
In addition, the report presents the disparities in access to health care in the 194 countries evaluated. Residents of poor countries find it difficult to receive dental care and treatment for oral diseases, a problem similar to health problems such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Dental surgeon Letícia Bezinelli, coordinator of the dental degree course at the Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein (SP), assesses that the situation in Brazil in relation to the fight against caries is ahead of several regions of the planet: “The country has done an exemplary job in the fight against tooth decay thanks to the addition of fluoride in water”. On the other hand, he adds that “we are seeing the rapid growth of periodontal disease and cancer.”
silent diseases
Unlike tooth decay, which can cause pain, other diseases are usually calmer. By the time the patient reports a symptom, the problem is often already advanced, making treatment difficult.
“Oral cancer, if diagnosed late, is very disabling. Treatment can be very aggressive and has a great impact on quality of life,” explains Bezinelli.
Oral problems can impact overall health. It is already known that periodontal disease is associated with cardiovascular and pulmonary problems, for example, as well as making it difficult to control blood sugar in diabetics.
The reverse path is also possible – drugs used for the treatment of osteoporosis and chemotherapy drugs can affect oral health.
According to the dentist, one of the reasons for the advancement of these problems is “widespread neglect”. Patients do not undergo periodic visits and there is a lack of integration between healthcare areas.
“For a long time, dentists have practiced dentistry within their own four walls, without considering the relationship between oral health and general health. Doctors also often forget to refer the patient to the dentist,” he says.
Good habits
Periodontal disease occurs due to the accumulation of bacteria in the tissues around the teeth. In milder cases, the gum becomes inflamed and bleeds. In severe cases, there can be mobility and even tooth loss.
Like tooth decay, periodontal disease can be prevented by controlling your diet, good hygiene habits, and regular visits to the dentist.
Oral cancer is associated with risk factors such as the virus HPV, to smoke, excess alcohol and even sun exposure in case of lip cancer. Blemishes and sores that don’t add up, even if they don’t cause pain, are warning signs.
