DUBAI // More than half of the adult population is missing teeth because of gum disease brought about by poor dental care habits and hygiene, dentists say.
The UAE is witnessing a “growing epidemic of tooth loss”, according to Dr Costa Nicolopolous, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who works in Dubai, blaming social stigma and a lack of education for a problem that affects “around 60 per cent of the population”.
“If you compare this part of the world to somewhere like California, there is a much lower awareness of dental health, much lower rates of check-ups and lower dental hygiene.”
Lifestyle is also an issue, as residents consume lots of sugary food and growing numbers suffer from conditions like diabetes, said Dr Nicolopolous.
“People who lose teeth often choose to eat just one or two meals a day, which for a diabetic is the worst thing to do.”
According to the World Health Organisation, severe gum disease, which may result in tooth loss, is found in 15 to 20 per cent of middle-aged (35 to 44 years) adults worldwide. Globally, about 30 per cent of people aged 65 to 74 have no natural teeth.
In the UK, it is believed to affect one in 20 adults. A survey by the American Dental Association in 2011-2012 found that about 21 million adults aged 65 to 74 were edentulous.
“Once tooth loss starts, the face starts to change shape which can have a major psychological impact,” said prosthodontist Dr Petros Yuvanoglu. “They can’t eat what they should. For example they won’t eat meat, so they will become deficient in proteins. They try to drink more so the balance of their diet is lost.”
This can put extra strain on the body, said Dr Matthieu Gabriele, a general dentist and prosthodontist. “Not chewing properly is asking the stomach to do a bigger job, which has an impact on digestion.”
However, more worrying than missing teeth is gum disease, said Dr Yuvanoglu. “If you don’t fix even that one missing tooth, it will have other problems. Peridontitis, an infection which often comes from this, creates bacteria that gets into the blood which can cause heart attacks and respiratory problems.”
There are answers, said Dr Yuvanoglu, but the biggest challenge is lack of understanding.
“There is the shame associated with it, so people stay hidden. They don’t realise there is a solution. They are afraid of dentists, so they just let things go as long as they can which causes more deterioration. They don’t want dentures, but now implants exist and it can all be done within a week. We need to raise more awareness that there is help out there.”
mswan@thenational.ae
