Dentist Dr Enoch Abiodun has stressed the importance of retaining natural teeth to improve quality of life.
Abiodun made this known at a webinar organised by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) on Thursday.
The webinar, organised by the college’s Faculty of Family Dentistry, was titled “Retention of Natural Dentition: A Critical Factor in Improving Quality of Life.”
The dentist, from the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Jos, said teeth perform important physical, social and aesthetic functions.
He described teeth as important components of oral structures, forming a complex with other tissues within the oral cavity.
According to him, teeth also serve as a gateway to the body and contribute significantly to overall wellbeing.
He said natural teeth perform functions beyond chewing, including nutrition and digestion, maintenance of facial structure and prevention of facial collapse.
“Teeth don’t only form a gateway to the body; they enhance quality of life in so many ways,” Abiodun said.
He explained that dentition refers to the aggregate of teeth in the oral cavity, adding that humans have two sets.
According to him, these are the primary and secondary dentitions, comprising 20 and 32 teeth respectively.
Abiodun said the process of retaining natural teeth begins during gestation, stressing the importance of tooth development before birth.
He said nutrition, environmental infections, stress, drugs and contaminated water during pregnancy could affect tooth development.
He noted that such factors could affect pregnant women and contribute to abnormalities, including missing teeth.
“The process of retaining natural teeth starts at gestation, while the appearance and structure of teeth formed during pregnancy can affect quality of life,” he said.
The academic researcher described an individual with a full complement of teeth as dentate, while partial or complete tooth loss is called edentulism.
Abiodun said studies have shown that demand for dentures and the prevalence of edentulism increase with age.
He, however, noted that demand for removable partial dentures begins declining after the age of 30.
According to him, edentulism has been reported to be higher among females, lower socioeconomic groups, rural dwellers and people with low educational levels.
He added that edentulism has been associated with chronic arthritis, stroke, hypertension and obesity.
The dentist said adequate nutrition could reduce the likelihood of tooth loss and its associated consequences.
“People who smoke, consume inadequate vegetables, use alcohol and visit dentists infrequently have been reported to have a higher prevalence of edentulism.
“It is also associated with disabilities, lower cognitive scores and poor general health,” he said.
Abiodun said failure to retain natural teeth could cause physical challenges, including difficulty with mastication, speech problems and poor aesthetic appearance.
He urged Nigerians to embrace good oral hygiene, consume foods that promote oral health and avoid unhealthy lifestyles.
He also advised Nigerians to make regular dental visits part of their routine healthcare practices to support the preservation of natural teeth.
