Laura Poy Solano
Newspaper La Jornada
Thursday June 23, 2022, p. 19
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that dental caries in early childhood, which affects 530 million children under the age of six worldwide, is the most common non-communicable disease in childhood, despite the fact that it is preventable.
The condition affects milk and permanent teeth, as well as general health and quality of life throughout life, warns the world body. They can lead to abscesses and toothaches, which could make it difficult to chew, sleep and restrict the vital activity of children. Serious dental caries are associated with growth deficiencies.
Risk factors include lack of exclusive breastfeeding, consumption of free sugars, and inappropriate exposure to fluoride for dental caries prevention.
The document Ending dental caries in childhood: WHO implementation manual highlights that in the case of Mexico, it is estimated that more than 70 percent of children under 6 years of age were affected by caries in 2017-2018, which places us with one of the highest rates in the world.
The condition is rapidly increasing in low- and middle-income countries, and dental caries is common or severe, particularly among children from poor communities, as access to dental care in many nations is inequitable, leaving more vulnerable children from poor families.
However, emphasizes the WHO, it is a preventable disease, since almost all risk factors can be modified. Both the causes and prevention are strongly determined by socio-behavioral, economic, environmental and social factors. Early childhood caries is largely influenced by the health behaviors and practices of children, families and caregivers
.
To promote prevention and care, it highlights the need for changes in personal behavior, work with families and caregivers, and public health solutions such as the development of health policies, the creation of enabling environments, and the orientation of services towards universal health coverage.
