One in Five Cavity Patients Are Infants and Children... "Prevent with Proper Brushing"

The number of patients with 'dental caries' (tooth decay), caused by bacteria adhering to the surface of teeth, is increasing every year. It mainly occurs in children and adolescents, so proper tooth brushing and dental care education are necessary.

Oral examination. [Image source=Getty Images]

The National Health Insurance Service announced on the 15th the status of health insurance treatment for 'dental caries (K02)' from 2017 to 2021 using health insurance treatment data. The number of patients increased by 518,099 (8.9%) from 5,852,295 in 2017 to 6,370,394 in 2021, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. In 2021, the total treatment cost for dental caries was 587.3 billion KRW, a 63.3% increase compared to 2017. The average treatment cost per person was 92,000 KRW.

By gender, females numbered 3,373,901, more than males at 2,996,493. Male patients increased by 8.0% over five years, while females increased by 9.6%. By age, children under 9 years old were the largest group with 1,350,397 (21.2%), followed by teenagers with 1,027,054 (16.1%), and people in their 20s with 764,765 (12.0%). Professor Cho Sin-yeon of the Department of Dentistry at National Health Insurance Ilsan Hospital explained, "Children have weaker tooth enamel and lack proper tooth brushing skills, making them more susceptible to cavities." She added, "Also, as parents' interest and awareness of oral health increase and with programs like oral health checkups for infants and toddlers, the frequency of dental examinations has increased, allowing early and detailed diagnosis and treatment of children's cavities compared to before."

Dental caries refers to the condition where the hard tissues of the teeth are damaged by acidic substances produced when bacteria on the tooth surface decompose sugars and carbohydrates. Mutans streptococci, bacteria residing in the mouth, consume leftover food particles and release acidic substances that dissolve the hard tissues of the teeth. In the early stages, there are no symptoms, but when the decay progresses moderately to the inner layers of the tooth, sensitivity to cold or sweet foods occurs. In advanced stages, sensitivity worsens and spontaneous pain occurs even at rest. Therefore, regular checkups are essential even if there is no discomfort.

Treatment of dental caries involves accurately and minimally removing the decayed area and restoring the original shape and function using various dental materials. If the decayed area is left untreated, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, causing the decay to progress rapidly and destroy the tooth. These bacteria can spread to other teeth in the mouth, causing multiple cavities. Therefore, regular checkups are necessary even if there is no discomfort. Professor Cho said, "The most basic prevention is to remove sugars and carbohydrates, which are food sources for bacteria, from the mouth through proper tooth brushing." She added, "For children, fluoride application strengthens the tooth surface, and sealants (pit and fissure sealants) help by eliminating grooves on the tooth surface where food can remain."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.