Speakers at an 'International Dental Moot' have called for raising awareness about oral health and hygiene, as lacking awareness in this regard has caused surge in burden of oral diseases among children and adults.
On the second day of the moot held under the aegis of Institute of Advanced Dental Sciences and Research (IADSR) with the theme of 'Dentistry in the era of Globalisation', speakers said that due to mouth diseases children and adults are unable to attend their school or work, causing millions of hours to be lost each year. They said that the most common oral diseases world-wide are dental cavities and periodontal (gum) diseases. They added that oral hygiene is still very important and should be practiced daily. They called for educating the public about dental problems and their causes, which can assist in preventing oral complications.
According to experts, oral health contributes to self-esteem, self-confidence and a positive self-image, which are important qualities at every age and maintaining that a person's self-esteem is often elevated as orthodontic treatment brings teeth, lips and face into proportion.
Quoting from the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s official data, experts said that oral diseases alone prevent children and adults from attending school or work, causing millions of hours to be lost each year. An estimated 60 to 90 percent of school-going children around the globe have cavities, while tooth loss seen to affect 1 in 4 of the adult population. For the elderly, poor oral health affects eating abilities, which then influences the food eaten and general health.
Dr Rubina Mumtaz said: "Teeth are a very essential part of the human body and are vital for everything from chewing and speaking to an individual's overall aesthetics, once teeth are lost, the spaces created can adversely affect a person's overall appearance and oral functions. Problems like bad breathe tooth decay, dental cavities and bleeding gums are not inevitable, but are to a large extent influenced by environmental, social and lifestyle-related factors. Dental decay or cavities affects a major part of the population and is the single most important cause of loss of teeth.
According to her, most people ignore dental caries till it reaches the inner pulp tissue of the tooth, infecting the tooth and the underlying bone. Regular dental check-ups are also essential in preventing dental problems. The keynote speakers were from Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Qatar shared their knowledge with local participants. The conference also hosted academicians, researchers and scholars from different fields of dentistry who have come together to promote dental education in Pakistan.
The conference also entailed a Dental Trade Exhibition where more than 100 exhibitors showcased dental equipments, technological instruments, implants and latest dental materials. Addressing the moot, Hafsa Farooqui, Brand Manager GSK Oral Care, said: "GSK is proud to be associated with such forums that aspire to promote oral health practices and habits across the country."