KATHMANDU, March 26: Doctors warn that oral health problems affect 90 percent of Nepalis. Bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, tooth decay, and other oral issues affect many individuals, yet they often neglect to seek timely treatment.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 90 percent of Nepalis have oral health problems. About 60 percent of them suffer from gum disease. Around 90 percent of schoolchildren have problems with tooth decay. Shockingly, 80 percent of patients delay seeking medical attention until their conditions worsen.
“In Nepal, patients from both urban and rural areas ignore oral health and seek treatment only after having complicated problems,” said a dental professional, Shaili Pradhan. According to her, patients in rural areas often face complex issues due to limited access to healthcare, while urban residents delay treatment due to negligence.
Basics of oral hygiene
Doctors expressed that the rise in oral health problems is the result of modern dietary habits, including the intake of processed foods lacking in fiber. Food habits such as the use of tobacco and alcohol consumption risk oral health issues with long-term use potentially leading to oral cancer.
Similarly, oral health expert Dr Prakash Budhathoki said that neglecting to brush teeth after consuming tobacco products and alcohol can lead to oral health problems. “There are more oral health problems now than ever before,” he said.
“Failure to address oral health problems can result in severe complications such as tooth decay, oral cancer, and gum disease,” he said, “There are adverse effects of poor oral hygiene on overall health, including risks like diabetes development and memory loss.”
Experts mentioned the importance of early intervention and adopting healthy oral hygiene practices to prevent expensive and complex treatments, especially in cases of oral cancer. Moreover, to maintain oral hygiene, doctors recommend consuming fiber-rich foods, rinsing the mouth after consuming sweets, avoiding sticky foods, regular teeth cleaning, tongue scraping, and annual check-ups with dental and gum specialists.
