A child’s smile often hides a silent health struggle that many parents fail to notice. Rotten teeth are emerging as one of the most common health problems among children across the country, quietly affecting their ability to eat, speak, grow and even perform in school.
Rotting teeth: An emerging health issue among Kids’ fading smiles
Muhammad Atif Ismail
MULTAN, Aug 2 (APP)::A child’s smile often hides a silent health struggle that many parents fail to notice. Rotten teeth are emerging as one of the most common health problems among children across the country, quietly affecting their ability to eat, speak, grow and even perform in school.
While dental health is a crucial part of a child’s overall development, a silent epidemic of tooth decay is steadily damaging this foundation, with recent research showing that nearly two out of every three children are affected.
Dental caries is now recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the most common non-communicable disease among children, more widespread than asthma or hay fever. Left untreated, it causes chronic pain, infections, poor nutrition, stunted growth and missed school days, problems that often go unnoticed until they become severe.
According to the Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, a cross-sectional research study examined 385 children aged 6 to 12 years using the World Health Organization’s DMFT (Decayed, Missed, Filled Teeth)
index.
It found that 68.9 percent of children, nearly seven out of ten, had some form of dental caries, a rate that is significantly high.
The study showed that only 31.1 percent of those examined were completely caries-free, while 57.1 percent had mild to moderate decay, 10.3 percent had severe caries, and 1.2 percent fell into the very severe category.
Most alarming was the finding that nearly 90 percent of children had no idea that sugary foods were linked to tooth decay, while less than 0.1 percent brushed their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, a basic preventive habit recommended by dental experts worldwide.
The study also informed that the country has not conducted a national oral health survey for this age group in recent years, with the last relevant national data dating back to 2004.
Researchers concluded that the oral health status of children aged 6 to 12 remains “unsatisfactory” and called for the urgent rollout of school-based dental health education programs.
This is a highly important issue affecting children, as poor oral health can later impact their personality, confidence and overall development.
Commenting on teeth decay, Dr. Maryam Bashir, FCPS in Operative Dentistry and Endodontics and head of Fazeelat Bashir Dental Clinic, Multan, informed APP that childhood tooth decay in the country stems from a mix of everyday habits and parental oversight.
She pointed out delayed brushing routines, excessive use of sweeteners, prolonged use of baby bottles (feeders), and a general lack of parental awareness about proper toothpaste use as leading contributors, alongside poor oral hygiene habits among children overall.
Dr. Maryam Bashir stressed that most of these problems were preventable with basic awareness and consistent care. She recommended regular dental check-ups for children, urged parents to educate themselves on appropriate toothpaste choices, and advised discontinuing baby bottle (feeders) use once a child’s teeth begin to erupt.
She also suggested reducing sweetener consumption and cautioned parents against relying solely on painkillers when children complain of tooth pain, saying such symptoms warrant a proper dental examination rather than temporary relief.
She emphasized that parents often seek dental treatment only when children experience severe pain, swelling or difficulty eating, whereas early visits can prevent major complications and protect children from lengthy and expensive procedures in the future.
However, she highlighted the need for stronger public health messaging on childhood oral hygiene, particularly in a country where dental care is often ignored until pain becomes unbearable.
With no comprehensive national survey conducted in nearly two decades, researchers and practitioners alike are calling for renewed policy attention to an issue that, left unaddressed, could affect an entire generation’s nutrition, academic performance and quality of life.
She stated that children’ oral health in rural areas was not satisfactory. Kids use substandard confectionery items, which create more troubles. She added that lack of awareness among parents and limited access to qualified dental professionals further increase the risk of dental problems among children.
Another doctor, Dr. Armeen Tariq from Shahida Islam Medical and Dental College, also suggested special care for children. She added that citizens should bring their children to competent dentists only instead of
quacks. Timely treatment could help them effectively.
She stressed that regular dental examinations should become a routine part of children’ s healthcare, as early diagnosis can save children from severe pain, infections and permanent dental complications.
Similarly, Malik Iftikhar, a police officer, while talking to APP, stated that he was regularly visiting a private hospital for the dental treatment of his son.
The doctor has suggested nearly 18 months of braces treatment. He added that he had ignored his son’s dental care in the past.
“However, now I am very much concerned about the treatment of my son,” he said.
He added that parents often remain focused on other health issues of children but ignore dental care until visible problems appear. He said timely attention could prevent children from facing difficulties in the
future.
A child’s smile should be a symbol of health and confidence, not a reflection of a silent struggle; protecting young teeth today means protecting the future growth, happiness and well-being of an entire generation
