The epidemiology of dental caries and periodontal disease.

Dental caries and periodontal disease are common in industrialized countries and caries is increasing in non-industrialized countries. The predominant method of coping with the disease problem has been to treat rather than prevent the diseases, an approach which has obviously failed to cope with the problem as shown by the results of the International Collaborative Study of Dental Manpower Systems (58). Epidemiological evidence suggests that a food policy directed at lowering the refined sugar consumption level to about 10 kg per person per year in conjunction with fluoride supplementation of the diet would virtually eliminate dental caries in industrialized countries. Health education to improve the effectiveness of toothbrushing will reduce the progression of periodontal disease to a rate compatible with keeping teeth for a life-time.