India’s oral health crisis: Why millions of people are suffering from cryable dental diseases
Doctors believe that there are some challenges limited to lack of awareness, insufficient preventive measures, and inexpensive dental care that need to be immediately addressed to reduce this burden of oral diseases.
Oral diseases are among the most common non-communicable diseases in India, yet they remain very neglected.
Tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer are highly prevalent across the country, suffering from millions of dental problems that affect their overall health.
Doctors believe that there are some challenges limited to lack of awareness, insufficient preventive measures, and inexpensive dental care that need to be immediately addressed to reduce this burden of oral diseases.
Dental issues in India
Decay of teeth is one of the most common dental problems in India. German -based dental surgeon Dr. According to Bibhkar Ranjan, almost every other person has cavities, which often occur from an early age.
He said, “The most surprising fact is that people get a cavity at a very young age. One of the main reasons for this is the absence of a school dental health program, which is common in western countries and even in parts of Africa. Without these programs, children do not receive regular dental checks or treatment when needed,” they told digital today.
Advisor to Dentist and oral transplantation Dr. at Shalby Hospitals. Darshan Shah said that about 50% of Indian adults are suffering from periodontal disease, while teeth decay is widespread in children.
“Simple remedies such as brushing with fluoride toothpaste, using mouthwash and floss, regular dental check-up, and avoiding tobacco and betel nut can help prevent these diseases,” he explained.
Poor affects oral health welfare
Oral health is not only about teeth, it has long -term results on its overall health. Studies show gum diseases and serious health issues such as Alzheimer’s (major brain disorders), stroke and heart disease.
According to a study in the Alzheimer’s disease journal, bacteria found in gum disease are associated with the development of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
Another study states that gum disease can increase the risk of stroke.
Pregnant women suffering from gum disease are at risk of pre-eclampsia and low birth weight infants, while men may experience erectile dysfunction due to poor oral health.
Challenges in India’s dental care system
Despite being one of the largest number of dentists in the world, India still struggles with inadequate oral health awareness and lack of systemic reforms.
Dr. Ranjan compared the situation of India to countries like Germany, where individuals have nominated dentists and obtained regular check -ups through a structured health insurance system.
He said, “In India, patients often visit a dentist when they experience severe pain or swelling, which makes them difficult to save their teeth,” he said, “he said, unless we introduce new reforms and do not educate people about oral health, things will not be better.”
An important concern is increasing cases of oral cancer in India, which is about one third of the world’s total cases.
Dr. Ranjan emphasized the need for a system that encourages the dentist to preventive visits.
Cost Factors: Is dental really expensive?
While many people believe that dental care is expensive in India, experts argue that it is relatively inexpensive than other countries. However, lack of insurance coverage seems expensive treatment.
“India is one of the cheapest dental care systems in the world in India, yet many consider it expensive because dental treatment involves procedures instead of medicine,” Dr. Ranjan said.
He said, “introducing extensive health insurance schemes that include dental care can make treatment more accessible.”
Dr. Shah also stated that the cost of dentistry depends on the quality of materials and equipment, many of which are imported.
He said, “Dental treatment is not expensive, it has to be ignored. Preventive measures like brushing, flossing and regular check-up can protect them from expensive treatment in a long time,” he insisted.
Preventive measures require
The biggest challenge in India’s oral health crisis is lack of awareness. Many people only want dental care when the problem has deteriorated.
Dr. “The public healthcare system does not focus much on dental care, which leaves people with limited inexpensive options,” Shah said. “Rural areas, in particular, face severe lack of dental services.”
Doctors believe that investing in preventive dentistry and improving public awareness can reduce the burden of oral diseases to a great extent.
Dr. Ranjan suggested leveraging techniques such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) for early diagnosis of oral cancer and normal dental conditions.
He said, “Some dental colleges in India have started using AI to scan and diagnose patients, but we need a nationwide movement to make this more broader.”
Simple oral hygiene habits for better health
Maintaining good oral hygiene is important to prevent a host of dental problems. Dr. Ranjan and Dr. Shah recommends simple daily habits like:
- Brush twice a day using the right technique.
- Floss in clean areas where a toothbrush cannot reach.
- Using mouthwash at night to fight bacteria.
- Limiting a balanced diet and limiting sugar.
- Regular dental check-ups every six months.
A study by the University of South Carolina found that regular flossing can reduce the risk of ischemic stroke by 22%, cardiombolic stroke 44%and atrial fibrillation to 12%.
India’s oral health crisis is a growing concern that requires immediate action, the experts said. However, millions of Indians can enjoy better oral health and do overall welfare with simple oral hygiene awareness and intensive policy intervention.
