Dental Health – the next lifestyle disease?

Christine Arnheim

(dentist in Germany, daughter of Margaret Arnheim from Gbedema)

Dental Health – the next lifestyle disease?

Growing up I always experienced Ghanaians to have great teeth. Even though I saw a few people with missing teeth here and there, the general picture showed wide smiles with nice teeth. I also always knew that visiting the dentist for general checkups or annual teeth cleanings was not part of most Ghanaians’ routine. So I kept wondering why there were not as many cases of toothlessness as I felt I had seen in Germany. Though most people in Germany do not visibly suffer from tooth decay or loss, as tooth decay is filled and missing teeth are being replaced. I do think the chewing of tooth cleaning sticks is a reason why in Africa teeth remain healthier for a longer period despite the lower medical awareness of most people. Teeth cleaning sticks contain some of the same contents as normal toothpaste. Especially fluoride is known to prevent tooth decay. Though teeth cleaning sticks contain significantly lesser amounts of these substances I strongly believe that because the sticks are typically chewed several times per day and usually for quite a long time, the substances have an impact on the teeth nevertheless. The longer time of brushing also prevents stains from sticking to the teeth in the first place.

Dental examination in a Gbedema school

When visiting Ghana as a dental student und later on as a dentist I had the feeling that the previously mentioned difference between the ‘Western’ and the ‘African’ teeth had minimized. Though it is still common to brush the teeth, teeth cleaning sticks have become an older method and therefore the positive impact of cleaning the teeth several times per day has lessened. Because western products are believed to provide better results, the natural or traditional methods often pass into oblivion. Undoubtedly common toothpastes and good toothbrushes are the best way to prevent tooth decay and loss if used correctly and in combination with regular visits to the dentists. As this is usually not the case, people are not reminded and corrected in their oral hygiene and brushing techniques which leads to dental problems. I think a combination of the old and the new techniques is the best way to minimize tooth decay.
Another problem in the newer days is the changing preferences in the diet. Foods high on carbohydrates like bread and rice and drinks like sugared tea and coke are preferred to traditional foods like T.Z. and other healthier foods. This is not only a problem in the dental field but the general health. The cases of patients with diabetes and high blood pressure or other heart problems become more each year. These medical problems are often associated with higher living standards – so called lifestyle diseases. I explained this to the children in the Gbedema Primary School during my presentations about oral hygiene.

I hope we can maintain the best part of the traditional ways but include the benefits of modern products and techniques.