DENTAL SURGEON LINKS SUGAR DIETARY TO RISING CAVITIES AMONG YOUTH.

By Bamanga Abdullahi Gombi.

As toothache and dental cavities continue to pose major health challenges among thousands of young people across the country, a dental surgeon, Dr. Ayuba Baka, has advised youths to reduce their intake of sugary foods and maintain good oral hygiene to prevent oral diseases.

Dr. Baka gave the advice in an interview with Radio Nigeria against the backdrop of the rising cases of toothache and dental cavities among underage persons.

According to Dr. Baka, when sugar remains in the mouth overnight, bacteria feed on it and produce acids that erode tooth enamel, leading to tooth damage.

He said the habit, coupled with poor brushing practices, significantly increases the risk of tooth decay.

Dr. Baka described dental caries as a condition commonly associated with the rich and middle class due to their higher consumption of processed and sugary foods.

He noted that lifestyle and dietary habits play a key role in determining an individual's risk of developing cavities.

Dr. Baka strongly recommended the use of fluoride-based toothpaste, noting that it has been scientifically proven to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.

"Dentists recommend tooth brushing twice a day, first thing in the morning and last in the night after eating."

He advised individuals to undergo dental check-ups at least twice a year, stressing that regular visits help in the early detection of cavities and other dental problems, making treatment easier and more effective.

On her part, a health worker in Gombi, Sara Mathies, attributed many dental problems to poor brushing techniques, explaining that some people brush too hard on their gums instead of their teeth, resulting in gum injuries.

She noted that another major cause is eating at night and going to bed without brushing, which allows germs and bacteria to feed on food particles and attack the gums and teeth.

The health worker further warned against using sticks or toothpicks to remove food particles from the teeth, saying the practice often causes injuries that gradually lead to toothache and cavities.

"Toothache is not part of genetic desease, is just a common measure of maintainance, maintaining the teeth, mouth and its sorroundings".

Sara Mathies recommended that the media should lead awareness campaigns, because dental ailments are serious health issues that can cause complications and even loss of life if left untreated.

A 30-year-old resident of Jimeta, Abubakar Ibrahim, said he has endured severe toothache that sometimes leaves him unable to eat or swallow solid food, describing the pain as so intense that it disrupts his daily activities.

According to Ibrahim, he often resorts to traditional medicine to manage the condition, while at other times seeking advice from people with similar experiences, saying the advice has been helpful.

"Some take advice from street doctors, somebody will just tell you go and do this, without having proper channel of verifying information where to get medicine."

He further stated that he has never used any prescription from a doctor but however called on the government to make dental services more affordable and organize free dental check-ups for students and the less privileged.

Corroborating, a 21-year-old resident of Gombi, Zainab Abubakar, said she has suffered from toothache and dental cavities for the past year, believing the problem resulted from excessive consumption of sweets and carbonated drinks.

According to Zainab, she has never visited a dentist because dental care services are too expensive, stressing that whenever the pain persists, she buys pain relievers from a medicine store for immediate relief, especially at night.