60% of schoolchildren suffer from decay in Chennai
Recent figures released by the Indian Dental Association have revealed that 60 percent of children aged between 6 and 12 suffer from tooth decay in the city of Chennai.
A recent study carried out by the Chennai branch of the IDA showed that more than 60 percent of children suffer from tooth decay, with many diagnosed with advanced forms of the condition. The study followed children from ninety private and government schools in the city for a period of six months and found that children in the area have extremely poor standards of oral hygiene.
Oral hygiene is a serious problem in many parts of India; many dentists claim that the majority of people are unaware of the importance of good oral hygiene and consequently neglect their teeth and gums. Adults fail to pass on good habits to children and the cycle continues. Dentists have also attributed the high rate of decay to an increase in the availability and consumption of junk food; children are now eating more junk food than ever before and these convenience foods are often high in sugar, as well as fat and salt.
Children are also consuming fizzy drinks and sweet foods, which contain acid and have high sugar content; acidic and sugary foods temporarily weaken the protective enamel surfaces of the teeth, making the teeth susceptible to erosion and decay.
The IDA’s Continuing Dental Health Programme is aiming to improve people’s attitudes to oral health and raise awareness of the importance of good oral health and the possible implications of poor dental health. The programme is also aiming to encourage people to see their dentist on a regular basis; currently, the majority of people do not see a dentist until they are already suffering from severe pain.
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