Report of the Commission of Inquiry on the fluoridation of public water supplies.

  • New Zealand. Commission of Inquiry on the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies.
Date:
[1957]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report of the Commission of Inquiry on the fluoridation of public water supplies. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    21/246 (page 19)
    CHAPTER 2: SOME CONSEQUENCES OF DENTAL DECAY 19. Dental decay is the invasion and déstruction of teeth by micro- organisms. Since the infection may spread to the tooth socket and jaw bones, to the soft tissues of the face and neck, and even further afield, dental decay is the cause of other kinds of ill health in certain cases. Professor Walsh, who is Dean of the Dental School at the University of Otago and who has both medical and dental qualifications, gave evidence explaining that these infections could cause the onset of various illnesses which he described. He remarked also upon the pain and discomfort which often attended dental decay, the effect it had on efficiency, and _ the psychological problems which affected some people following the loss of their teeth. 20. There are no statistics to indicate the importance of these secondary disorders from a public health point of view, but we are satisfied that they are matters which should not be overlooked in a consideration of the general question. CHAPTER 3: NATURE OF DENTAL DECAY 21. Although the causes of dental decay are not fully understood and evaluated, there was general agreement amongst expert witnesses (Colonel Fuller, Dr Davies, Mr Ludwig, Professor Walsh, Professor J. L. Warren, Professor F. R. Shroff) that the initial damage to the surface enamel of a tooth is brought about largely by acids which are formed during microbial fermentation of food debris left in contact with the tooth. Foods containing sugar and starch are the chief sources of acidic fermentation in the mouth. When these foods are sticky and adhere to the teeth they are likely to cause greater dental decay. The damage to the enamel is never repaired by natural processes. 22.'The same witnesses agreed that the most effective method of preventing dental decay is a modification of diet which reduces to a minimum the consumption of sweet, sticky foods, especially those con- taining refined carbohydrates like sugar and white flour (Davies 1955b; Lilienthal, Goldsworthy, Sullivan, & Cameron, 1953). The prevalence of dental decay can also be reduced by thorough cleansing of the mouth immediately after food. The witnesses did not discuss the possibility that genetic factors may influence susceptibility to dental decay. 23. The filling of teeth is, of course, not a means of preventing dental decay but an attempt to treat it. The steps at present being taken to combat the disease by preventive means, or by the treatment of it, will be considered in the following paragraphs 24 to 56. CHAPTER 4: DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND DENTAL TREATMENT 24, Evidence has been given of the efforts made to provide instruction and dental health education by three separate organisations. These are: (a) The National Dental Service; (b) The Health Education Committee of the Department of Health; and (c) The Council on Dental Health Education of the New Zealand Dental Association.