PETALING JAYA: Refusing to smile and missing class – these are just some examples of how poor dental health has affected teens in Malaysia.
Fewer adolescents are brushing their teeth twice a day – from 87.1% in 2017, the rate fell to 82.2% in 2022.
More teens have also skipped class or online learning due to toothaches.
But in a more curious twist, a higher number are choosing not to smile or laugh due to the appearance of their teeth.
This happens in almost one in three teens, or at a rate of 31% as of 2022.
It’s a jump from 13.3% in 2012.
Here’s how this trend grew over time:
These numbers are from the Adolescent Health Survey 2022 by the Health Ministry, conducted among 36,000 students aged 13 to 17 from secondary schools nationwide.
The findings also revealed that fewer teens visited their dentist within a year.
Ironically though, the use of dental floss among these young Malaysians went up from 19.3% in 2017 to 21.4% in 2022.
Here’s a look at the trends in a nutshell:
Why so significant?
It is worrying that there is a high percentage of teenagers who refrain from smiling due to their teeth.
This can impact their mental well-being as they transition into adulthood, as per the Health Ministry.
“In today’s society, young people may see social acceptance as crucial.
“Individuals who are unhappy with their smile and dental alignment might struggle with low self-esteem, leading to negative impacts on their mental health,” the ministry explained.
However, it is common for teenagers to seek orthodontic treatments like braces at this age.
“During this period, one’s appearance can greatly influence self-acceptance,” the ministry noted.
Teens from Putrajaya, Selangor, and Labuan topped the list for abstaining from smiles due to their teeth compared to other states.
Brushing less than twice a day
On the other hand, Kuala Lumpur has the lowest percentage of teenagers who brush their teeth twice a day.
Only 78.9% of adolescents in the Federal Territory had the habit of brushing twice daily.
Labuan, however, leads with the highest rate, as 85.7% of teenagers practice this healthy habit.
On the possible reasons for fewer teenagers brushing twice a day in Malaysia, the ministry mentioned interruptions in school dental services due to the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022.
“This may have increased the chances of students losing the healthy habits they had established during the school year, particularly during holidays.
“This could have led to a decline in maintaining proper oral hygiene,” it stated.
Agreeing, Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) president Dr. Mas Suryalis Ahmad attributed the pandemic to the decrease.
She said the survey was conducted during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide.
“Routine activities, including education, were disrupted.
“One subject that may have been affected is Physical and Health Education, taught to students in Forms One to Five.
“Secondary school students may have missed out on learning about dental health which is part of the curriculum,” she explained.
Dr. Mas Suryalis added that community education programs like tooth-brushing drills and oral health talks were also suspended for over a year.
“Another factor is the reduced access to professional dental services during that period.
“Studies show that there was a decrease in dental visits, with most patients only seeking assistance for emergencies or symptomatic treatment,” she noted.
Preventative measures like oral hygiene care instructions were not widely promoted during that time.
Skipping school
At times, toothaches were severe enough to cause Malaysian adolescents to miss classes in school or online.
According to the data, about one in ten teens reported that their toothaches made them skip school.
Kelantan had the highest percentage of teens admitting to this at 15.6%, followed by Sabah at 15.4%.
Meanwhile, most young adults aged 15 to 24 were found to have dental calculus or tartar, based on the ministry’s National Oral Health Survey of Adults conducted in 2022.
Tartar are deposits that accumulate and cover the teeth, which can lead to gum disease.
“If left untreated, these conditions can progress to a severe form of gum disease called periodontitis.
“Periodontitis involves bone loss and can ultimately result in tooth loss,” the ministry warned.
Here are other key figures regarding the oral health of our youth:
Taking a big step for healthier teeth
Moving forward, the Health Ministry aims to enhance awareness of good oral health, emphasizing its link to overall physical well-being.
This goal aligns with its theme for World Oral Health Day this year, “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body.”
“This effort involves partnerships with various agencies including religious institutions to promote oral health at places of worship.
“The ministry will also promote effective daily tooth brushing in nurseries, kindergartens, and preschools to instill good oral hygiene habits from a young age,” it stated.
To ensure at least one oral health screening per year, the ministry runs community outreach programs.
“This is done through mobile dental clinics or teams, with a focus on underserved populations, persons with disabilities, elderly individuals in facilities, and school students,” the ministry added.
MDA’s Dr. Mas Suryalis suggested that it would be timely to conduct campaigns to raise awareness about the relationship between oral and general health.
“On an individual level, it is important to cultivate self-awareness about oral health care and engage in self-care practices.
“These efforts include self-examining one’s own oral cavity to detect any issues, refraining from smoking, and adopting healthy behaviors such as regular exercise,” she recommended.
