Adolescents who are missing teeth due to decay or trauma are more frequently bullied, new research has found.
The study analysed data following the health outcomes of 4,400 children from the ages of eight to 15 years. It found that bullying was more than 40% more common among teenagers who had lost teeth.
Professor Ankur Singh is chair of lifespan and oral health at the University of Sydney and senior author of the paper. He said: ‘Tooth loss isn’t only a dental issue, it’s a social one too. For teenagers, it can have significant psychological impacts at a crucial time in their development.’
First author Yuxi Li, PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne, highlighted the severe impact that bully can have on young people. She said: ‘Anyone who has been bullied at school can testify to what an awful experience it can be.
‘As well poor psychological outcomes, bullying can also have adverse physical outcomes such as overweight and obesity. We hope that this study will raise awareness about the link between oral health, bullying and young people’s overall wellbeing.’
How does socioeconomic background affect oral health?
The research also found that teens from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to have untreated dental decay, which can lead to tooth loss.
Professor Singh said: ‘Poor oral health impacts nutrition, sleep, self-confidence and overall wellbeing, as well as being linked to heart disease and high blood pressure.
‘To address these issues, the government needs to invest in prevention programmes tackling oral and improve equitable access to dental care, especially in rural and remote areas and in low-income communities.’
In March, a Dental Wellness Trust survey revealed that nearly a quarter of children (24%) skip toothbrushing because they ‘forget or become distracted’.
More than half of parents (52%) reported everyday hassles, such as busy mornings, late-night fatigue or chaotic schedules, as the biggest reason their children skip brushing.
A further 10% said their children are put off by the strong taste of toothpaste, while 7% are deterred by sensitive teeth.
When asked about wider support, 21% said they felt let down by the ‘inadequate’ dental education system.
Follow Dentistry on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.
