More than 600 million children worldwide suffer from tooth decay, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), which classifies this condition as a serious public health problem. The countries with the highest prevalence of the disease include Nigeria, China, India, Pakistan and Indonesia.
Childhood tooth decay was recently the central theme of the first day of the workshop of the Stomatology Service of the Maputo Central Hospital, which brought together professionals in the field to discuss prevention and treatment strategies.
Mozambican dentist Ilda Cossa warns that tooth decay, despite being a chronic non-communicable disease, can be prevented with lifestyle changes. She explains that the disease shares risk factors with other chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, due to the influence of daily habits.
Among the main risk factors are a lack of oral health education, a disorganized routine, the family's socio-economic situation and misguided guidance on well-being. Furthermore, diets rich in sugar and highly cariogenic foods contribute to tooth decay, especially in children with lower dental mineralization.
The dentist emphasizes that oral health is an indicator of general health and its prevention involves healthy habits such as regular brushing, reducing sugar consumption and frequent dental check-ups. Simple measures can significantly reduce the impacts of tooth decay and improve children's quality of life.
(By Rafael Langa)
