Why 56m Nigerians suffer tooth sensitivity

• GSK calls for improved practice in dental profession, organises business seminar, pledges renewed support for practice

A recent study by Nigerian dentists has shown that 32.8 per cent of Nigerians, that is about 56 million people, have dentine hypersensitivity (DH).The study titled “Dentine Hypersensitivity and Associated Factors: A Nigerian Cross-sectional Study” showed that DH is associated with brushing frequency, brush movement, brushing after breakfast fresh fruit intake and fruit/vegetable juice intake.

The study was presented at the General Session of the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) held June 22 to 26 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
DH is dental pain, which is sharp in character and of short duration, arising from exposed dentin surfaces in response to stimuli, typically thermal, evaporative, tactile, osmotic, chemical or electrical; and which cannot be ascribed to any other dental disease.

A degree of dentine sensitivity is normal, but pain is not usually experienced in everyday activities like drinking a cooled drink. The researchers led by Prof. Kofo Savage, of the Periodontal unit of the Department of Preventive Dentistry College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL) Idi-Araba, include: Dr. Adeleke Oginni of Faculty of Dentistry, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State; Dr. Omolara Uti, CMUL; Olabisi Oderinu, CMUL; and Oluwole Dosumu, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Oyo State.

They concluded: “The prevalence of DH in young Nigerian adults is low compared to their European counterparts. Both studies have shown tooth-wear and gingival recession are associated with dentine hypersensitivity. Potential risk factors such as frequency and characteristics of tooth brushing were supported in this study to be significantly associated with dentine hypersensitivity, while in the European study, erosion from gastric origin and intake of erosive foods were significantly associated with dentine hypersensitivity.”

The study was sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Nigeria.Meanwhile, GSK has called for improved practice in the Nigerian dental profession even as it organises dental business seminar and pledges renewed support for dental practice in Nigeria.

Managing Director, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc., Mr. Thandalam Dayanand, has charged Nigerian dentists to adopt best practices and increase their commitment to helping the country achieve optimal oral health, particularly as it concerns awareness and giving Nigerians access to the best oral health care.

Dayanand stated this at a two-day Dental Business Seminar held in Lagos, which was sponsored by Sensodyne as part of GSK’s effort to build capacity and ensure a more improved practice in the dental business in Nigeria.

According to him, awareness and adequate access to oral health care in Nigeria is generally low because dentistry and oral health issues are not prioritised. The situation has left Nigerians in a below average condition in terms of their oral health contributing to a high level of dental morbidity.

Meanwhile, the researchers led by Savage assessed the prevalence of DH and relative importance of risk factors in 18 to 35 year old Nigerians and compare to findings from a similar European study.

Following ethical approval from the Medical Ethics Committee of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), 1349 patients were recruited from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. DH was clinically evaluated by cold air tooth stimulation, patient pain rating (yes/no). Investigator rated pain, using Schiff (0-3), erosive tooth wear using BEWE index (0-3), and gingival recession (mm). A questionnaire regarding the nature of the DH, patients completed erosive dietary intake and tooth brushing habits.

The results showed that 32.8 per cent of patients reported pain on tooth stimulation and 32.9 per cent scored greater than and equals to one (≥1) on Schiff scale for at least one tooth. “Questionnaire reported sensitivity was 41.2 per cent. There were statistically significant associations between Schiff score and clinically elicited DH (p < 0.001) and BEWE score and clinically elicited DH (p < 0.001). The questionnaire showed some associations between DH and brushing frequency, brush movement, brushing after breakfast fresh fruit intake and fruit/vegetable juice intake,” they noted.

Savage told journalists: “It is commonplace to see or hear people complain about certain reaction to cold or hot food, without necessarily understanding what the condition is about. Dentine Sensitivity is a prevalent dental condition amongst a higher percentage of Nigerians both young and old, and this has continued to persist as a health burden with people paying little or no attention to it. Recent statistics have shown that an alarming 33 per cent of Nigerians actually suffer from this condition.”

According to another study published in Inside Dentistry, Sensodyne Toothpaste is a proven panacea to DH.The study is titled “Using Sensodyne To Alleviate Dentin Hypersensitivity.”

The researchers noted: “The most common and professionally endorsed treatment for the relief of dentin hypersensitivity is the use of a desensitizing toothpaste containing five per cent potassium nitrate. Data support that the use of a dentifrice containing five per cent potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride significantly reduces dentin hypersensitivity pain and provides caries protection.

“Sensodyne toothpaste manufactured by GSK contains the maximum amount of potassium nitrate allowed under the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monograph. The mode of action for toothpaste containing five per cent potassium nitrate is that the potassium nitrate depolarizes the nerves that innervate the dentinal tubules. Potassium ions from the potassium nitrate diffuse through the dentinal tubules to the nerve endings in the pulp cavity and stop the repolarization of the nerve fibers. With the nerve now in a resting state, the pain cycle is broken and the patient’s pain is relieved.

“Patients should be instructed to brush with Sensodyne at least twice a day, every day. The desensitizing effect of the toothpaste builds over time, and noticeable results are felt within two weeks. Sensodyne toothpaste can be used as the patient’s regular toothpaste. Sensodyne offers an extended line of formulas to satisfy patients’ desire for everyday toothpaste benefits.”

A recent study, conducted in dental offices, demonstrated that patients who brushed with Sensodyne Fresh Mint Toothpaste twice daily for two weeks before and two weeks during professional whitening treatment experienced significantly less sensitivity compared to a control group using regular toothpaste.

Patients brushing with Sensodyne were significantly more sensitivity-free during the first three days of their whitening treatment, which is typically when they experience the greatest degree of whitening-related sensitivity.

Study results revealed that those using Sensodyne were more satisfied with their whitening experience overall, and would be more willing to repeat whitening treatment in the future. Results were based on patient satisfaction surveys and diary entries.

Meanwhile, Dayanand further stated: “Our involvement in this seminar is a demonstration of our commitment to add value and impact positively on the society. At GSK, we recognize that there is need for a broad-based approach to the problems of oral health care in Nigeria and this call for concerted efforts among the dentists, the government and health care companies.”

Dayanand said GSK constantly seeks ways to create enduring partnerships and this is one of such relationships. “We believe that our investment in the dental business in Nigeria will no doubt affect the wellbeing of the people,” he said.

President, Nigeria Dental Association (NDA), Dr. Olurotimi Olojede, said: “We are grateful to GSK for this opportunity. We value their interest in the growth of dental business in Nigeria because we believe that the knowledge acquired from this seminar will help improve the quality of our services and positively impact on the general wellbeing of the people.

“GSK has been a very valuable partner to us over the years and we hope other corporate organisations will emulate this so that together we can improve the wellbeing of our people.”

Participants at the seminar benefited hugely from the seasoned facilitators who brought their wealth of experience to bear, providing capacity building and effective approaches on areas which includes Human Resource (HR) management, corporate and personal finance, entrepreneurship, marketing and strategy, dental economics, local clinical study on dentine among others.Dentists across Nigeria attended the Dental Business Seminar with an objective of proffering workable solutions to the dental business in Nigeria.