Sugary diets and careless habits: Silent crisis destroying Children’ smiles

Muhammad Atif Ismail

Multan, Aug 9 (APP):Severe tooth decay or (rotten teeth) is rapidly emerging as one of the most widespread yet overlooked health challenges facing children across the country, with recent research showing that nearly two out of every three children are now affected by dental caries.

        Dental caries is now recognized by the World Health Organization 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 Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, a cross-sectional research 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 significantly

high.

            The study showed,  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.

             Similarly, 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 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 highly important issue affecting the kids and later it has impacts on personality.

           Commenting on teeth decay, Dr. Maryam Bashir,  FCPS in Operative Dentistry and Endodontics and head of Fazeelat Bashir Dental Clinic, Multan, informed APP,  childhood tooth decay in the country stems from a mix of everyday habits and parental oversight.

            She explained that while baby teeth play a key role in helping a child eat, speak, and grow normally, many parents do not notice early decay until it causes real pain. Primary teeth have thin enamel that breaks down fast when exposed to sweet snacks and poor brushing.

         When left untreated, severe cavities can cause constant toothaches, sleep loss, and missed school days, while also harming the permanent teeth growing underneath, she added.

           She pointed 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 reduced 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.

         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 the kids oral health in rural areas was not satisfactory. Kids use substandard confectionery items which create more troubles.

              Another Dr Armeen Tariq from Shahida Islam Medical and Dental College, also suggested special care of kids. She also added that the citizens should bring their kids to competent dentists only instead of quacks. Timely treatment could help them effectively.

           Similarly Malik Iftikhar, a police officer,  while talking to APP stated that he was regularly visiting a private hospital for 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 concluded.