Gum disease has been a serious and ongoing problem in Yemen for many years. NGOs like such as the World Health Organization are currently sponsoring initiatives to educate the general population about oral hygiene. The goal of the WHO program is to teach people the how to care for their mouth’s properly by brushing and flossing on a regular basis. Yet despite these and other organizations’ efforts, periodontal disease continues to be a serious problem in Yemen. A study conducted by the WHO estimated that over 85% of the Yemeni population may be effected. All of which is cause for serious concern, in light of new research, according to Dr. Abdulwahab I. al-Kholani, Associate Professor at Sana`a University.

Dr. Abdulwahab I. al-Kholani, explained that oral diseases if neglected, in some cases, can be life threatening. Recent research has shed even greater light on the systemic health problems linked to oral disease. Previously it was thought that oral disease was the result of illnesses such as diabetes and arterial sclerosis but it has now been proven that the opposite is the case. Oral disease greatly increases the odds of a person developing a multitude of systemic diseases such as: type two diabetes, lung disease, arterial sclerosis, stroke, heart attack and even brain lesions. In cases of severe oral infection in the maxillary area, infection may spread to the periorbital area, increasing the risk of serious complications that include: loss of vision, cavernous sinus thrombosis, and central nervous system involvement and finally causing brain abscesses. Patients who develop brain abscesses will suffer from cerebral thrombosis which could cause mental retardation and death.

New discoveries are helping to explain how oral disease is linked to all of these other diseases- particularly diabetes, which is a very common disease in Yemen. American doctors in Market University showed that oral diseases especially periodontitis can generate a bacterial microorganisms which in turn can spread into the human circulatory system via the blood stream. It is at this point that an immunological reaction happens, producing a protein called cytokine. This substance has a negative effect on the pancreatic cells which are responsible for producing insulin, the hormone responsible for sugar regulation inside the human body.

The chances of a person developing type two diabetes and the other systemic diseases linked to oral disease, can be greatly diminished by proper oral care. Dr. al-Kholani explained that “ poor oral hygiene and low education in the term of taking care of the oral cavity, means that a high percentage of Yemenis are at risk of being effected by oral disease.” He added, “Many patients neglect visiting the dentist when they feel any pain in their oral cavity, especially in our country. In many instances, this oral pain develops from a mild problem into a severe infectious case. All oral diseases should be taken seriously by patients. All people should visit the dentist for checkups at least every six months, even if they feel no symptoms of disease. During the check up the dentist will look for cavities, especially in areas which are hard to self clean. If a person does feel that something is wrong, with his mouth, he should visit the dentist immediately.

The World Health Organization has been working on what can be done about gum disease in Yemen for several years. The say the miswak stick is better than nothing but it is not as effective as a toothbrush. People need to be educated about the importance of dental health and how to self clean their mouths. Furthermore, people need access to dentists. More students from rural areas need to train as dentists or dental hygienists and return to their villages to work.