Changing Global Scenario in Dental Caries

Dental caries is a chronic infectious disease, generally believed to be caused by acid producing mutants ¿ Streptococci and Lactobaccili bacteria (Beighton et al. 2004). There is a rapidly changing global disease pattern and this is said to be closely linked to changing lifestyles which include diet rich in sugars, widespread use of tobacco and consumption of alcohol (Peterson, 2004). The distribution and severity of dental caries vary in different parts of the world and within the same country or region (WHO, 1997). Rapidly changing global disease pattern of dental caries is closely linked to changing lifestyles like diets rich in sugars, neglected oral hygiene and less or no use of fluorides. These lifestyle factors significantly impact oral health that pose a major public health problem burdening the society owing to their high prevalence and incidence in all regions of the world.Like all diseases, they affect primarily the disadvantaged and socially marginalised populations, causing severe pain and suffering, impairing function, loss of teeth or structure and in turn has an impact on quality of life.