Statistics show 81% of Moldovans have dental caries

20.03.2014 11:11
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2 minute(s)

Eight in ten Moldovans suffer from tooth decay, according to the World Health Organization. Thus, Moldova is among the countries with a high incidence of dental caries. Specialists warn the nonobservance of oral hygiene can have catastrophic consequences as the health of the whole body depends on oral health.

Contacted by IPN, head of the Public Dental Association of Moldova Victoria Purici-Susu said the exact causes of dental caries are not known, but specialists consider they are related to the geographic area, eating and the drank water. In some regions of Africa, where there is no sugar, dental caries does not exist. Compared with Bulgaria, France and some of the regions of Russia, where pregnant women and children at kindergarten are given milk with fluoride in order to reduce the incidence of tooth decay, such a practice in Moldova is not used.

According to Victoria Purici-Susu, the culture of tooth brushing in Moldova is not very developed. The people do not know elementary information about how the teeth should be cleaned. Instead of brushing the teeth during 4-5 minutes, they reduce the time to 30 seconds.

Compared with the United States, where emphasis is put on teaching the child to correctly clean the teach from an early age – there are even several hundred associations of volunteers who promulgate this practice in kindergartens, schools and orphanages – this educational aspect in Moldova is neglected.

“The people must understand that the nonobservance of elementary hygiene rules can lead to the worsening of the situation,” said the head of the Public Dental Association of Moldova. She recommended brushing the teeth two times a day, in the morning and before going to sleep, using dental floss after every meal and seeing a dentist every six months.

The World Oral Health Day is celebrated annually on March 20. Starting with this year, it is marked in Moldova too. On this occasion, a flashmob meeting will be held in a Chisinau mall on March 21. Those who want will be able to exchange the old toothbrush for a new one.