Many of us have been there; repentant in the dentist’s chair while a man in a white coat looks at the X-ray and shakes his head while firing up the drill. But the teeth of Norwegian youth have never had fewer cavities. According to the young people themselves, the recipe is very simple: – I brush my teeth when I have to, says Halimo Yoonis. – I brush in the morning and in the evening, counters Besrat Samson. Neither of them has had cavities in their teeth, and they are in good company because 1 in 3 under the age of 18 have never had cavities in their teeth, according to a survey carried out by Statistics Norway. – Do they think the dentists will eventually run out of work if this continues? – I think so, laughs Yoonis. Good, but not good enough COOPERATION: Dental hygienist Kristin Lefdal believes the dental health service’s cooperation in the municipalities contributes to the decline. Photo: Benedikte Grov / news Kristin Lefdal is clinic manager at Stryn, Sandane and Nordfjord-owned dental clinic and works as a dental nurse. She knows her way around from SSB. And believes that the collaboration between the dental health service and health centres, nurseries and schools has a positive effect on the statistics. – We see that the dental health of children and young people is getting better and better. From the time they come to us for the first time as three-year-olds until they are 18, there is generally little trouble, says Lefdal. Heming Olsen-Bergem is president of the Dental Association. He believes the decline is a result of longer health prevention work, with a focus on healthier diet, nutrition and hygiene advice for good dental health. Heming Olsen-Bergem is happy with the development, but believes that dental health among young people under the age of 18 still has a way to go. Photo: Sverre Lilleeng / news Nevertheless, he is troubled. – One in three under 18s still have cavities in their teeth, and that is not good enough, says Olsen-Bergem. Hola who are reported in are those who have progressed so far that they need treatment. There are probably far more people who have small incipient cavities, which can get better with a change in diet and good dental hygiene, he explains. Anxiety over acid damage According to Statistics Norway, the decline in the number of holes is flattening out among 12-year-olds. Olsen-Bergem points out that increased consumption of sugary foods and acidic drinks is to blame. – What worries dental hygienists, dentists and dental associations are all the acidic drinks that etch the teeth. It is considerably more work to repair than small holes, he says. The Dental Association believes that the introduction of the sugar tax will help. But has the following advice for parents: – The most important thing is to get back the Saturday-good way of thinking; that soft drinks and sweets are something you primarily do one day a week. It is important that parents help ensure that young people actually brush their teeth, often floss and use fluoride toothpaste.
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One in three 18-year-olds has never had a cavity in their teeth – news Vestland
