Oral Health Disease is a growing concern for the Fiji Dental Association.

Association President Vikash Singh says Fijians are not well educated on the downside of dental diseases and how they can affect a person’s general well-being.

Dr. Singh says many Fijians suffer from gum diseases and this often goes untreated.

“Adults lose their teeth mostly through gum diseases. Unfortunately, the early stages both this conditions are symptom based. So you don’t get to experience much discomfort until its a bit too late.”

Singh says in many cases, people do not know how to brush their teeth properly and if they use the wrong type of toothbrush it can cause even more damage.

“Gum diseases are caused by not cleaning your teeth properly. Many people say that they brush but they really are not very well versed with how to brush properly and a dentist can show you how to do that. Sometimes people use very hard toothbrushes and that can be quite damaging to the teeth.”

The Fiji Dental Association hopes to work with the Health Ministry in carrying out a national Dental survey detect dental health issues in the country and how to address them.