13 April 2014
What is oral health and how does it affect children?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines oral health as:
“a state of
complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of tooth
decay, oral and throat cancers, gum disease, chronic pain, oral tissue lesions,
birth defects ... and other diseases and disorders that affect the oral, dental
and craniofacial tissues (cited in Beaglehole
et al 2009).”
Retrieved from http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/our-oral-health-key-findings-2009-new-zealand-oral-health-survey (p.5)
As you read in the quote above “oral health” is far more
complex than cutting your baby teeth, (milk or primary teeth) having them fall
out, (lots of visits from the tooth
fairy), with a bit more pain you gain a second set, maybe a few fillings over
the decades then the elderly inevitable dentures. I admit prior to my researching oral health
as a social issue, I was naive to the complexities of how important oral health
was to our overall health and wellbeing.
I now know that there are three major categories that can
affect teeth; developmental, trauma and disease. So what causes
these problems?
Developmental – issues
begin as far back as your genetic blue print, however this can be altered if
mothers health is impaired during pregnancy.
Substances systemic and topical can also damage developing teeth. http://www.just-teeth.co.nz/dental-care-advice/Tooth+problems.html
Images
retrieved from http://www.just-teeth.co.nz/dental-care-advice/Tooth+problems.html
Image retrieved from http://www.just-teeth.co.nz/dental-care-advice/Tooth+problems.html
Trauma - issues are the
major breakages of teeth caused by accidental falls crashes. Unfortunately many are preventable or could
be minimised if sportspersons had worn the recommended safety equipment. http://www.just-teeth.co.nz/dental-care-advice/Tooth+problems.html
Images
retrieved from http://www.just-teeth.co.nz/dental-care-advice/Tooth+problems.html
Disease – dental caries,
(decay/cavities) and gum disease, (gingivitis/periodontitis) are conditions
that commonly occur when oral hygiene is not regularly exercised. http://www.just-teeth.co.nz/dental-care-advice/Tooth+problems.html
Tooth Decay — How
it happens and how to avoid it
Gingivitis
Images
retrieved from https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=gingivitis&safe=active&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=FrtTU_7jCMTlkgWF-YCwDw&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=533
Images
Retrieved from https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=periodontitis&safe=active&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=ZL5TU9iTO8fSkwWj94HYCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=533
An interesting perspective from a natural health doctor on
the impact oral health and dentistry can have on your whole body. “CLICK” to view only 3 mins long
Look at dental health in a different way
References
Dentist Bond iBeach,
(2011). Tooth Decay — How it happens and
how to avoid it Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF0b_GgzwUM
Dental Trauma
Guide,(2010).Your interactive tool to
evidence based trauma treatment. Retrieved from http://www.dentaltraumaguide.org/
Just Teeth Dental
Centre (2011). Tooth problems: What
problems can occur to my teeth. Retrieved from http://www.just-teeth.co.nz/dental-care-advice/Tooth+problems.html
Oral Surgery
Associates, (2011). Wisdom teeth. Retrieved fromhttp://www.oralsurgery.co.nz/wisdom-teeth.html
WebMD, (nd). Childrens health: Fluorosis overview.
Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/children/fluorosis-symptoms-causes-treatments
WebMD, (2011). Oral Care: Tooth decay – topic overview.
Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/tooth-decay-topic-overview
IHealth Tube.com (2013) Look at dental health in a different way. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQqz4c5vJaE
I really wana thank you for providing such informative and qualitative material so often.
ReplyDeleteDr. Ann White