The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer MORE than 50 per cent of children in New Providence have experienced some sort of tooth decay by the time the reach first grade, according to Dr Joyous Pickstock of the Faith Dental Clinic. With February being National Children's Dental Health Month, Dr Pickstock took the opportunity to offer free dental services to the Albania Christian Academy Pre-School and emphasise the importance of proper oral health. "Keeping your mouth healthy is very important. Just as it is important to instill good general hygiene practices and good nutrition early; dental health is an integral part of overall general health. Keeping up with good oral health can prevent detrimental disease as well as tooth decay," she said. "Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases - it is five times more common than asthma. By the first grade, more than 50 per cent of children in New Providence had experience with dental caries in their primary teeth. Despite the availability of cost-effective preventive measures and improvements in children's oral health, many children still lack needed dental care. In fact, dental care has become the most frequently reported unmet health need of children. The oral health of children is important to their overall well-being and oral disorders can have a profound impact on them." In addition to dental caries, there are many other diseases that stem from poor dental hygiene, Dr Pickstock said. "The two main dental diseases that can have a detrimental impact on overall health are dental caries which occur mainly in children and periodontal gum diseases which occur mainly in adults. These major diseases are the chief causes for days missing from school or work as a result of dental abscesses and toothache. It is important to remember that both diseases usually begin as a result of poor oral hygiene and are preventable," she said. Mr Pickstock said that recently more and more persons are also being diagnosed with stress related dental problems; temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) and myofacial pain dysfunction (MPD) are two stress-related disorders that can cause pain in the teeth and jaw. Symptoms of these disorders include tenderness or tension in the cheek muscles, an inability to open your mouth wide, and a clicking, cracking, or popping sensation when the mouth is opened. Dr Pickstock said she encourages all persons to reduce the intake of food and drinks sweetened with sugar, and to brush and floss teeth regularly with a fluoride toothpaste in addition to regularly visiting a dentist to ensure proper oral hygiene.