Post-meal Oral Care Habit and Dental Health of Hong Kong People Behavioural SurveyBack


 

Date of Release：May 20, 2004

 
 

60% Hong Kong People Have Tooth Decay
Culprit: Multiple Meals, Sweet Tooth, Negligence of Post-meal Oral Care

 
 

A recent survey indicates 60% of Hong Kong people have tooth decay, which is caused by the love of sweet foods, multiple meals and negligence of post-meal oral care.

 
 

To understand Hong Kong people's eating and post-meal oral care habit, as well as tooth decay, The WRIGLEY Company (H.K.) Ltd. has commissioned The University of Hong Kong Public Opinion Programme to conduct a behavioural survey, known as "Post-meal Oral Care Habit and Dental Health of Hong Kong People", through phone interviews with random sampling in late February 2004, and was participated by 506 people aged between 10-44. Major findings of the survey were announced by Dr. Robert Chung Ting-yiu, Programme Director of the Public Opinion Programme and commented by Dr. Cecilia Young, a registered dental surgeon at a press conference today.

 
 

59% respondents have caries
Survey shows 59% respondents have had or currently have tooth decay, among which 62% have 1-3 bad teeth. 24% have 4-6 bad teeth, and 5% have 7-10 bad teeth! 75% of the 40-44 age group have tooth decay.

 
 

Hong Kong people have multiple meals in a day
Survey shows 53% respondents eat 4 meals or more a day. In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, 56% have afternoon tea, 40% eat supper, 47% eat dessert/ice-cream after meals. Up to 82% eat snacks and 89% eat fruits after meals.

 
 

Most meals with sugar content
On food choice, sweet is the most popular taste (43%). The majority of respondents eat meals or snacks with sugar content:

  • Breakfast (71%)
  • Lunch (55%)
  • Afternoon tea(75%)
  • Snacks (93%)
  • Supper (49%)
  • Dinner (30%)

 
 

68% respondents feel there is a need to brush their teeth after meals or snacks, but are not able to do so
Survey shows 68% respondents feel there is a need to brush their teeth after meals or snacks, but 87% say they do not brush their teeth after every meal or snack. Key reasons are troublesome/inconvenience (49%) and no such habit (30%).

 
 

Hong Kong people are snacking and taking multiple meals due to long working hours and high pressure
According to Dr. Robert Chung, one of the reasons people taking multiple meals a day is the long working hours and high pressure, so that many workers are snacking all the time to release pressure from work. This echoes with an earlier survey which shows many Hong Kong people reduce stress by eating, among which snacking is the first choice of women. The findings reveal that many people have basic knowledge of after meal oral care, however, most are unable to do so because of individual or environmental constraints. Dr. Chung reminded that this year, Hong Kong is lucky not to have any case of SARS, but we must continue our effort to promote public health education, including proper eating habit and dental health.

 
 

Expert warns multiple meals and sweet tooth without proper oral care increase the chance of tooth decay
Dr. Cecilia Young, a registered dental surgeon, expressed that bacteria harboured the oral cavity since birth. They catabolize simple carbohydrates to gain energy and acids formed during the process. Calcium, phosphates and fluoride loss in enamel and dentine due to the increase of acidity. This is known as demineralization. The whole picture becomes caries. Digestion of carbohydrates starts in the oral cavity. Bacteria can use all simple carbohydrates to form acid, thus, except water, almost all sorts of food including rice and milk lead to increase of acidity in plaque. Demineralization starts once the acidity reaches certain level. Sweet food contain more simple carbohydrates and therefore, speed up caries formation.

 
 

Dr. Young pointed out that plaque is the culprit of tooth decay. It is the mixture of bacteria and its product. Glycoprotein in saliva helps the bacteria to attach onto the surface of teeth. Through the generation of mucopolysaccharide matrix, plaque becomes strengthened and more plaque attaches. Diffusion of acids out plaque is prevented by the matrix, therefore, the acidity of plaque remains, even worse, the buffer in saliva was stopped to enter the site to neutralize the acids. The result is demineralization continues.

 
 

Dr. Young warned that the acidity of the oral cavity increases after meals. Eating repeatedly and having a sweet tooth make the acidity of plaque stay at a high level. Demineralization will occur which leads to tooth decay if proper oral care neglected.

 
 

Expert suggests brushing teeth or chewing sugarfree gum after meals to prevent tooth decay
Dr. Cecilia Young, a registered dental surgeon, expressed that bacteria harboured the oral cavity since birth. They catabolize simple carbohydrates to gain energy and acids formed during the process. Calcium, phosphates and fluoride loss in enamel and dentine due to the increase of acidity. This is known as demineralization. The whole picture becomes caries. Digestion of carbohydrates starts in the oral cavity. Bacteria can use all simple carbohydrates to form acid, thus, except water, almost all sorts of food including rice and milk lead to increase of acidity in plaque. Demineralization starts once the acidity reaches certain level. Sweet food contain more simple carbohydrates and therefore, speed up caries formation.

 
 

Dr. Young pointed out that plaque is the culprit of tooth decay. It is the mixture of bacteria and its product. Glycoprotein in saliva helps the bacteria to attach onto the surface of teeth. Through the generation of mucopolysaccharide matrix, plaque becomes strengthened and more plaque attaches. Diffusion of acids out plaque is prevented by the matrix, therefore, the acidity of plaque remains, even worse, the buffer in saliva was stopped to enter the site to neutralize the acids. The result is demineralization continues.

 
 

Sugarfree chewing gum contains Xylitol which cannot be catabolized by bacteria. Therefore, it provides the sweet taste without leading to tooth decay. Chewing Xylitol-containing gum for 20 minutes can reduce tooth decay by 12.3%, which is an alternative to teeth-brushing.

 
 

Dr. Young warned the public that caries not only affect personal health and hygiene, but also posted negative impact on the appearance, social life and work. It is important to consult dental professional for oral care advices to properly prevent caries.

 
 

- End -

 
 

Media Contact:
Wendy Tong, Grey Healthcare (Tel:2510 6794 or Mobile: 9277 4127)