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Dental caries, which is almost entirely preventable, is the name
given to the process of decalcification of the mineral elements of
teeth and the decomposition of the organic matrix which take
place in an acid medium (pH 5.2 or lower) such as is created when
soluble carbohydrates are available to acidogenic bacteria. This
decalcifying solution is kept in constant contact with tooth surfaces
by residual food particles in the mouth. It follows, therefore, that
the indictable comestibles are the glutinous or sticky types, such as
soft puddings, cakes, buns, biscuits, boiled sweets, chocolate, toffee,
etc., the very foods which give rise to obesity.
Normally, by the age of 2½ years, all deciduous teeth are in
the mouth, thus enabling the eruption of permanent ones to
proceed in an orderly fashion between the ages of 6 and 12 years.
Unfortunately, by the time five-year-olds receive their first dental
examination at school, the situation is usually out of control and
the future dental health of the nation already prejudiced. It is
estimated that about 50,000 pre-school children every year are
affected by rampant dental caries. In effect, this means that the
deciduous teeth are casualties almost as soon as they appear, but
even more catastrophic, is that the process is likely to be continued
into the permanent teeth. Here the enamel is destroyed and the
caries spreads through the dentine to the pulp, where a rich
blood supply carries the resultant toxins to other parts of the body.
Sucrose would appear to be the main cause of dental caries and
undoubtedly prevention must include restriction of the present
intake of refined carbohydrates, together with a reversion to the
more natural and fibrous type of diet. Besides having a gentle
cleaning and massaging action, such a regimen will stimulate and
excercise the teeth and gums. With the help of the movements of
the cheeks, lips and tongue, these factors will mould the newly
erupting teeth into their correct positions. But of paramount
importance, is the need to ensure that teeth have the best materials
for their formation before defective diet has an opportunity to begin
its destruction.
It is known that a minute quantity of fluorine assists the
protection of healthy teeth and reduces the incidence of decay.
Fluorides are present in most water supplies and in many foods
as a naturally occurring trace element. Because children needing
it most might not receive it and because strict dosage control over
a long period of time is virtually impossible, the use of fluoride
tablets is not advocated. During a period when manpower is
insufficient to deal with the enormous amount of untreated dental
decay, it is not only logical but extremely economical to ensure
that where water supplies are deficient in fluorides, they are
brought up to the recommended concentration 1 p.p.m.