In an interview on TV24's program "Uz līnijas," Ilze Maldupa, a lead researcher at Riga Stradiņš University (RSU), assistant professor, and resident in pediatric dentistry at the RSU Stomatology Institute, shared concerning statistics from an epidemiological study conducted at RSU. The study revealed that over 90% of fifteen-year-old adolescents have dental caries, either in its early or advanced stages. More specifically, 93% of teenagers show signs of caries, and 70% already have large fillings or significant cavities. This data suggests that nearly all adolescents in Latvia have some form of tooth decay.
Maldupa explained that diet is a primary factor contributing to this high incidence, but she also pointed out that society often overlooks the importance of protective measures for dental health. The key, according to Maldupa, is fluoride in toothpaste. She emphasized that while tooth brushing has been a common practice for centuries, it alone is insufficient to prevent caries. The widespread availability of carbohydrates since the agricultural revolution has consistently fueled the development of caries. However, it was only with the introduction of fluoride in dentistry that the global caries rate began to decline.
To maintain healthy teeth, Maldupa concludes that using toothpaste with a quality fluoride content is essential. This reflects the necessity of not just thorough brushing, but also choosing the right products to effectively protect against dental decay.
High Prevalence of Dental Caries in Latvian Adolescents: Importance of Fluoride in Oral Health.