Oral and Dental Health Affects Quality of Life

Oral and dental diseases are among the most frequently occurring health problems worldwide. Preventive dentistry is becoming increasingly important to prevent oral and dental health diseases that cause the progression of many health problems such as premature birth risk, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. With preventive dentistry, starting treatment without delay when a disease is diagnosed prevents the disease from progressing. The very low frequency of visits to dentists in our country causes problems affecting dental and gum tissues to be detected only after they have advanced. This delay in the treatment process leads to the growth of potential complications.

Drawing attention to the importance of oral and dental health within the scope of World Dentistry Day, Pierre Fabre İlaç Türkiye General Manager and Head of Oral and Dental Health Group Dr. Hande Demirdere,

"According to the United Nations Political Declaration published in 2011; it has been reported that non-communicable diseases such as cancer, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, which cause the death of 36 million people annually, share similar risk factors with diseases affecting oral and dental health. These results indicate the importance of oral and dental health in protecting general health. According to information shared by the Turkish Dental Association in 2017; 58.8% of women and 70.9% of men in the 35-44 age group have intensive tartar buildup. Among individuals aged 65-74, 48% have complete tooth loss. 89.3% of adult individuals in the 35-44 age group have at least 1 missing tooth. While the frequency of visits to dentists in Turkey is 0.9 times per year, this number reaches up to 5 visits per year in Europe. In order to prevent oral and dental health diseases that cause the progression of many health problems in our country, the habit of regularly visiting a dentist and regularly using the correct product recommended by experts is very important," he said. Looking at the findings made in the 2011 United Nations Political Declaration, Hande Demirdere, noting that tooth decay and gum problems present in 60% of children in the 5-17 age group cause "growth insufficiency," stated: "Severe gum disease in expectant mothers increases the risk of premature birth and low birth weight babies 8 times more. The risk of coronary heart disease is 3-7 times higher in the 39-69 age group with dental and gum disease. It has been found that individuals with poor oral hygiene have 4-5 times higher risk of contracting chronic respiratory system diseases. For this reason, oral and dental health should be given the necessary importance by considering it as a whole without separating it from the body's general health." he said.