According to a study by Mike Benigeri, a researcher in the Interdisciplinary Health Research Group at Université de Montréal, Québec teenagers aged 13 and 14 years felt that having cavities was not a disaster as long as they didn’t detract from a pretty smile. “The teenagers recognize that brushing their teeth can prevent cavities, but they aren’t aware of all the other types of prevention,” Mr. Benigeri indicates. “While they know that candies are bad for their teeth, they don't realize that soft drinks are just as harmful. And they believe that going to the dentist for a yearly check-up or having their teeth cleaned by the dentist prevents cavities, which is absolutely untrue.”

No survey had ever polled teenagers on this subject before Mr. Benigeri approached 13 and 14 year-olds at Quebec high-schools in a study by Jean-Marc Brodeur of the Social and Preventive Medicine Department at Université de Montréal. He asked 46 questions, and more than half of the 2000 teenagers he approached responded.

Even though teenagers in Quebec today have 69% less tooth decay than 30 years ago, there is still a long way to go, because at 14 years of age three out of every four young people have at least one cavity. “Today, people who have crooked teeth will get them straightened for appearance,” the researcher notes. In this respect, young people are no different from adults, more and more of whom are going to dentists’ offices to have their teeth whitened or straightened... and even to have jewellery attached to them!

Another surprise was that teenagers—especially from wealthier families—generally aren’t afraid of the dentist. “Some even put too much trust in the dentist, expecting him to take care of everything. They think that a visit to the dentist will make up for their poor dental hygiene. Actually, it is better to go to the dentist less often, but brush your teeth better.”

Nevertheless, according to the study, 3 out of 10 young people are actually fearful of the dentist's chair. And these are precisely the ones with the most cavities (up to two times more). Extractions and fillings do nothing to improve their opinion of the dentist! As these teenagers often come from poor families, dentists tend not to suggest preventive measures—dental sealants, for example—which parents refuse anyway since they are not able to pay for them. Yet dental sealants are very effective. A sort of plastic varnish that is generally applied on permanent molars when they first appear, sealants follow the tooth’s contours, where 90% of cavities form. They can last from three to five years, sometimes longer, giving the enamel time to harden and better resist cavities.

Researcher: Mike Benigeri
Telephone: (514) 286-6500, extension 5525
Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire en santé: (514) 343-6185
Email: mike.benigeri@umontreal.ca
Funding: National Health Research and Development Program, Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec