Healthy teeth: In Austria many are too tired to brush in the evening
Three-quarters of those affected by oral disease live in low- and middle-income countries. Even within a country, poorer and disadvantaged social groups and people who live in institutions or far away in the countryside are often poorer than others, according to the WHO.
Radiant smiles in Austria
In Austria, 99 percent use a toothbrush at least once a day. Twice a day, as experts demand, 83 percent brush in this country – an improvement compared to 2018. At that time, only 74 percent of those who indicated representatively had to clean their teeth twice a day, the Austrian Dental Association ÖZAK knows the numbers.
Those who don’t like cleaning give tiredness as the reason, more than half of them, specifically 57 percent, admitted dying. This justification was given most frequently – 72 percent – in the 16 to 29 age group. 27 percent simply forget it. In the summer of this year, more than a quarter of all 500 indicated that they had completely or reduced visits to the dentist since mid-March 2020 due to the pandemic. In principle, women are more concerned about beautiful teeth than men.
No dentist appointments in the parent-child pass
In any case, local representatives see room for improvement. Bettina Schreder, ÖZAK Vice-President and delegate in the World Dental Association FDI, recently regretted the non-inclusion of dental services in the mother-child passport – just at a time when the WHO has declared oral health to be a central part of human health. “Austria is once again lagging far behind the international standard in health,” says Schreder.
Healthy eating – healthy teeth
The WHO calls on governments and authorities to better educate people about oral health and promote a diet that is also good for your teeth. This includes less sugary foods, less tobacco use and less alcohol. Fluorine toothpaste can be readily available anywhere. WHO also called on countries to integrate oral health into primary health care, better inform people and ensure timely treatment if problems arise. Health workers who have not previously specialized in oral health can be trained accordingly.
More awareness of care
Experts in this country want to create an independent, holistic dental and oral hygiene awareness and increase the motivation for active dental care.