Chulalongkorn dental research reveals that Thais suffer more tooth loss than their foreign counterparts with 9 out of 100 Thais suffering the condition. One of the most important factors is hereditary gene abnormalities.
“Cavities, gingivitis, oral ulcers” are familiar oral disorders that are regularly treated by dentists. On the other hand, “tooth loss” is lesser known but found in many Thais. World and Asian statistics show an average of 6% of the population, while past research by Phitsanulok and Khon Kaen Universities reported 26% and 13% of Thais with tooth loss conditions respectively.
Is tooth loss in Thais caused by genetic abnormalities? and from which genes? This was a research challenge for Dr. Charinya Kanchanasevee, a graduate of the Master’s Degree Program in Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, who studied the “Prevalence and Characteristics of Tooth Loss in Thai Patients and Genetic Changes Associated with Tooth Loss in Thai Families” — the research which received an Outstanding Award for Master’s Degree Students Research in Health Sciences 2021 from Chula. university in bangkok
“Tooth loss” and its effects on health
Tooth loss refers to the absence of teeth from birth because the tooth bud cannot be found. The tooth bud is the tissue in the jaw bone that can be seen by dentists in X-rays only.
“Having one missing tooth is already considered a tooth loss condition. In the past, most Thai studies have found missing teeth in the area of the second lower molar, leaving no molars to chew food. Also, tooth loss correlates with abnormalities in the oral cavity, such as smaller than normal front teeth,” Dr. Charinya explained.
Tooth loss can be caused by many factors, including genetics and environmental conditions, such as when the pregnant mother has an infection, doesn’t eat all 5 groups of food, or takes medications that affect the formation of her child’s teeth, etc.
“A normal person has 20 primary teeth, and 32 permanent teeth. Tooth loss occurs mainly in permanent teeth, causing patients to have a problem chewing food, and abnormal facial structures. It affects the person’s state of mind and lifestyle. The research found patients with up to 12 permanent teeth loss,” Dr. Charinya said.
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