In this interview with New Daily Prime, Dr. Esther Wodi, a dentist with eight years of experience, currently practices at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) and Sonabel Medical Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The specialist shares her valuable insights on oral health protection. She warns that untreated tooth decay and pain can lead to severe consequences, including death, if neglected.
Excerpts:
New Daily Prime: Can you please explain what tooth decay is?
Dr. Wodi: Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, the breakdown of the tooth enamel. The structure consists of crown, enamel and pulp. Normal bacteria in the mouth, such as Streptococcus mutans, usually cause no harm. However, improper oral hygiene allows these bacteria to feed on leftover food particles, releasing acid that breaks down the enamel, leading to tooth decay. But when you don’t practice proper oral hygiene, these bacteria tend to feed on the leftover particles of food in the mouth, thereby releasing acid that breaks down the tooth enamel. That is when you have tooth decay, or call it dental caries.
New Daily Prime: What are the most common causes of tooth decay, and how can they be prevented?
Dr. Wodi: There are many common causes of tooth decay, but I’m going to speak more on two, which are the major causes that we see in our society: the poor oral hygiene and excessive consumption of sugary or acid foods.
Some people cannot eat any food without a bottle of Coke. They can’t eat any food without fruit juice. You know, they all contain sugar. And after taking them, they don’t rinse their mouth immediately. That is where the problem comes in. So if at all you should take it, it should not be like every day. It tends to stick to the crown of your teeth. And if not rinsed off immediately, the bacteria feed on it, then cause it to break down your teeth. That is where you have these holes in your teeth, which we call dental caries.
In summary, these are the preventive measures:
- Practice proper oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice daily or after meals. Rinse your mouth with water after eating.
- Minimize consumption of sugary or acidic foods such as sweets, ice cream, and soft drinks. If consumed, rinse your mouth immediately.
- Avoid frequent snacking between meals and ensure children rinse their mouths after consuming snacks like biscuits.
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups. Dentists can detect tooth decay early and take corrective measures before it worsens.
New Daily Prime: Can you explain how tooth decay is identified and treated, and what steps can patients take to prevent it from worsening?
Dr. Wodi: Symptoms of tooth decay include pain, discomfort, visible black spots on teeth, difficulty chewing, and sometimes swelling of the jaw. These symptoms often worsen at night. At times, you may find it difficult to chew on the affected side, and brushing your teeth might also become challenging. In some cases, your jaw may even become swollen.
Sometimes this tooth decay may not be seen with your eyes. Only diagnostic tools like X-rays can confirm its presence. Early treatment includes filling the cavity to prevent further damage. If decay reaches the pulp, the only solution is tooth extraction.
It is crucial to visit your dentist at least twice a year. Regular check-ups allow dentists to examine your teeth for cavities or decay and address any issues early. If any cavities or decay are detected, the dentist can fill them to preserve the tooth. The key to preventing further damage is timely dental care.
New Daily Prime: How do you handle patients who are anxious about visiting the dentist? What methods do you use to ease their fears?
Dr. Wodi: Dental anxiety is common due to misconceptions about pain and discomfort during procedures. To ease a patient’s fears, a good dentist must establish strong rapport and create a relaxed environment for patients, avoiding exposure to distressing visuals, such as blood. Additionally, the dentist should clearly explain the procedures and introduce tools like local anesthetic sprays that minimize pain during extractions.
New Daily Prime: What long-term effects can result from delaying treatment for tooth pain or other dental concerns?
Dr. Wodi: Delaying treatment can lead to severe pain, jaw swelling, pus buildup, and eventual tooth loss. In extreme cases, untreated tooth decay can result in life-threatening infections. For example, I encountered a patient at the Garrison Dental Clinic in Port Harcourt who refused treatment, allowing a molar infection to spread to her throat, ultimately leading to her death. When she was brought to the hospital, her throat was already filled with pus due to what began as a simple toothache. Regular dental visits and timely treatment are crucial to prevent such outcomes.
New Daily Prime: How does the cost of dental care influence patients’ decisions to seek treatment, and how does this affect the oral health of different communities?
Dr. Wodi: Financial constraints often deter people from seeking dental care. Additionally, misinformation, such as the belief that dental visits always lead to tooth extraction, contributes to reluctance. Public awareness campaigns are essential to dispel these myths.
New Daily Prime: Is there any health insurance that covers dental care in your area?
Dr. Wodi: Dental coverage is limited in this region. Some Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) provide coverage, but accessibility is often restricted to those employed by specific companies. It is mostly common in developed countries. So, you hardly see any insurance like that for dental, especially for people living in undeveloped countries. So there is no proper health insurance for dental care, as far as I’m concerned in this country.
New Daily Prime: What advice would you offer someone who has difficulty maintaining oral hygiene due to pain or sensitivity?
Dr. Wodi: Some people with excessive plaque in their mouths often go to pharmacies or supermarkets and request a strong toothbrush, commonly referred to as a smoker’s toothbrush. They believe that using this toothbrush will remove plaque or yellowish stains from their teeth. However, they may not realize that this approach can cause more harm than good.
For individuals with sensitivity or difficulty maintaining oral hygiene, it’s important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush instead of a hard-bristled one. Toothbrushes come in medium, soft, and hard bristles, and the hard-bristled ones, like smoker’s toothbrushes, can exacerbate sensitivity and cause discomfort.
Additionally, people should avoid brushing too forcefully, as this can lead to recurring pain around the teeth and gums. Instead, brushing gently in a downward stroke is recommended, as it helps protect the teeth and maintain oral health.
New Daily Prime: What role should public healthcare or insurance play in improving access to dental care for underserved populations?
Dr. Wodi: Public healthcare should establish dental clinics that are accessible and entirely free in remote communities across the state, focusing primarily on underprivileged children and vulnerable populations. For someone struggling to afford basic necessities like food, scaling and polishing their teeth may not even be a consideration.
Therefore, there should be at least one or two clinics in such areas providing free dental care, whether for routine check-ups or treatment. This initiative would encourage people to visit the dentist, address their oral health concerns, and receive the necessary treatment without financial barriers.
New Daily Prime: What are the most common misconceptions people have about dental health, and how can these be corrected?
Dr. Wodi: The most common misconception about dental health is that once you extract one tooth, you will continue to extract more. I have heard this countless times, but it is not true. If you extract a tooth and maintain the remaining ones by improving your oral hygiene, further extractions can be avoided.
Another common belief is that scaling and polishing will cause sensitivity. In my experience, I have not encountered this. Scaling and polishing help clean the teeth and remove plaque, leaving your teeth sparkling and white when maintained properly.
A further misconception involves parents believing that children, especially babies, do not need to brush their teeth because they are not eating solid food. As soon as a baby begins developing primary teeth (milk teeth), their teeth should be cleaned. Breast milk tends to stick to the surface of the teeth, and cleaning is necessary to prevent issues. There are toothbrushes and toothpaste specially designed for children. Parents should purchase these and ensure their children’s teeth are brushed regularly.
Even for babies under one year, parents can use a soft towel to clean their teeth and gums. I have seen children as young as 2-3 years old with dental caries severe enough to require extractions. Early oral care is essential to prevent such outcomes.
New Daily Prime: How do diet and lifestyle impact oral health, and what practical tips can you offer for maintaining healthy teeth and gums?
Dr. Wodi: Avoid drinks or snacks with excessive sugar, as they are harmful to overall health. Diets that include sugary beverages, alcohol, and coffee can negatively affect oral health. For instance, coffee can darken the surface of the teeth. If you consume these items, rinse your mouth immediately to minimize their impact. To improve oral health, it is advisable to avoid the mentioned substances. Replace sugar with honey as a healthier alternative. For babies whose teeth are still developing, parents should avoid giving them tetracycline, as it can damage their teeth by leaving permanent stains.
New Daily Prime: What advancements in dental care or technology excite you most, and how do you envision them benefiting patients in the future?
Dr. Wodi: What excites me is the innovation of Digital Smile Dental and Laser Dental. Both are new technologies and they are very expensive in this part of the world . Digital Smile helps to put a smile on patients’ faces like veneers. It makes teeth bright. Braces are also employed to correct dentition and malalignment of the teeth. Lasers help to ease pain and discomfort.
