32) Without fear of smiling

Conference discusses international in Belo Horizonte techniques

and advances in orthodontics

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Interview with Jose Mauricio Vieira de Barros

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- What is the main problem in the mouth of children, adults and elderly? Are there differences?

- A large intake of sugars and lack of oral hygiene are the main causes of cavities in children and adolescents. In adults stand out problems in the alveolar bone around the teeth and gums in the example of periodontal disease. Lower intake of sugars and better oral hygiene condition also favor a reduction in caries.

The loss of teeth in childhood, in adolescence and young adulthood in the elderly reflect the difficulty of mastication and therefore the proper digestion of food. The evil occlusion, recognized by the poor position of the teeth and bones of the face, also has a huge impact within the populations, both in children and in young people and adults.

Demand for orthodontic treatment for adults has increased considerably, not only by the knowledge of the dental drive at any age, but also by the development of techniques that are conducive to handling such cases.

- Why do dental services, even the simplest, such as cleaning and exchange of filling, yet are so expensive and inaccessible to the poor?

- The dental treatment of the most needy should be the responsibility of the public sector. The figures collected by surgeons, dentists for dental treatment following a spreadsheet of cost that takes into account the level of professional training, location and overhead costs of the office, the auxiliary employees, the materials used, taxes etc. We know that these values may make the treatment less accessible, but we also have our expenses are taken into account. And every person can and should do his part, because the prevention and oral hygiene are fundamental to a healthy dentition.

- The dentist has spoken highly of excessive concern of patients with respect to the aesthetics of the teeth. Do you believe that there is an exacerbation of the cult of beauty?

- The mouth and teeth are really a business card. A person with healthy teeth and a beautiful smile and harmonic has its self-esteem higher. There are studies that compare the influence of a beautiful smile on people's lives and that showed that placement, as compared to people with severe dental changes. The aesthetics really influence on the decision to treat the teeth, especially in countries where the cult of beauty is more present. In some countries, especially in Europe and Asia, there is much concern about the aesthetics of the teeth. But this is also the ignorance of the possibilities for treatment and even lack of access to them. The aesthetic value of our teeth, but the main objective of concern with our smiles is the recovery of functional occlusion, or in obtaining dental ideals of the contacts necessary for a proper chewing, swallowing, speech and breathing.

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