Contributing factors to children’s poor oral health
My
research indicates to me that management of oral intake and ill education of
oral health hygiene practices is the key to poor oral health in society.
Diet is one of the biggest
contributing factors to poor oral health in our children (Ministry of
Health, 2010; Ministry of Health, 2013).
There are many issues around diet and oral health,
it is not just about healthy or unhealthy foods, it is also combinations of foods and
their pH levels that can be harmful to teeth (Anekar, 2011).
Modern
society has changed its pace, the family home cooked dinner is less common and
the fast
food / junk food
industry has swooped upon us whether it is take-away or heat up in the
microwave.
Children
who graze on food or over
eaters are at risk of serious oral health issues because their mouths are
not being given sufficient time for the saliva to neutralize acid generated by bacteria
before the next ingestion of food or drink.
Australian
experts demand
warnings on soft drinks following research. Results revealed that approximately
56% of Australian children consumed at
least one bottle of fizzy type drink a day. 13% were consuming three or more
sports or carb drinks a day. Their most
shocking discovery was that children from low income consumed 60% more fizzy
sweet drink. I suspect that New Zealand
statistics would be similar to those in Australia.
Fluoride
has
plays an important role in the prevention of tooth decay when used in its
correct dosage. However I have found a
lot of recent information of which is controversial and certainly places a different light on fluoride.
It is a bit like a menu how would you like your fluoride? Topically (on the
outside) or Systemically (on the inside) through the water systems.
The
Benefits of Water Fluoridation? ( 3.53 min)
Heather
Howes speaks out about water fluoridation in New Zealand (3.42 min)
An interesting Interview with Dr. John Colquhoun 1998 (52 min, very informative)
(unfortunately this youtube is too large to import as a video insert so please click on link to view)
Education of oral health involves
the parents, caregivers taking an active part in the child’s learning, being
responsible for and role modeling good eating habits making wise choices when
shopping for food. I keep hear the word “Poverty”
we can not afford food. The government issues payment
cards for food shopping which is to cover the basic food needs. However, the
only restrictions for spending is no cigarettes of alcohol. So there is money which can only be used on
food the problem is what food choices are made by the purchaser. This is where I see a need for education to
change shopping habits looking for unbranded items, and specials on
basic items to cook with not convenience foods.
Please
do not get me wrong I know that there is serious poverty in families in our
society and appreciate that there are hard decisions to have to make.
References
Anekar, J. Dr
(2011). Diet, nutrition and oral health: Diet and oral health. Journal of
Dental Sciences and Research: (2.1) (pp.175-182). Retrieved from http://www.ssdctumkur.org/jdsr/19.pdf
Dental Tribune
International, (2013) Experts demand that warnings on soft drinks
include caries risk. Retrieved from http://www.dental-tribune.com/articles/news/asiapacific/11603_experts_demand_that_warnings_on_soft_drinks_include_caries_risk_.html
Dental Tribune
International, (2012). Sports and energy drinks
found to erode tooth enamel. Retrieved
from http://www.dental-tribune.com/articles/news/usa/8348_sports_and_energy_drinks_found_to_erode_tooth_enamel_.html
Dental
Tribune International, (2013). Poor oral health due to junk food may
elevate risk of heart disease. Retrieved
from http://www.dental-tribune.com/articles/news/europe/15835_poor_oral_health_due_to_junk_food_may_elevate_risk_of_heart_disease.html
Fluoride Action
Network (2012). The benefits of water fluoridation. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNdelK1GTm4
Ministry of
Health, (2010). Our oral health: Key
findings of the 2009 New Zealand oral health survey. Wellington: Ministry
of Health
Ministry of
Health, (2012). Community water fluoridation questions and answers. Retrieved
from http://www.tdhb.org.nz/services/public_health/fluoride_qanda.shtml#fluoride1
Ministry of
Health, (2013). New Zealand health survey:
Annual update of key findings 2012/13. Wellington: Ministry of Health
Ontario Dental
hygienists’ Association, (nd). Dental
hygiene facts: Nutrition and oral health. Retrieved from http://www.odha.on.ca/drupal/system/files/pdf/NutritionF.pdf
Ringsurf, (2009).
Oral health and nutrition. Retrieved
from http://www.ringsurf.com/online/1173-oral_health_and_nutrition.html
SAGE Publications. (2013) "Junk food, poor oral
health increase risk of premature heart disease." ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131202105301.htm
WebMD, (2014). Oral
care: Diet and oral health. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/diet-oral-health
Work and Income, (nd) Payment
card . Retrieved from http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/payment-card/#Usingyourcard4
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