Impact of Perceived Cultural Beliefs and Traditional Practices on Oral Health: An Evidence based Mixed Method Approach

Abstract

In human communities, culture is significant. Cultural norms structure a group’s understanding of ailments and care seeking behaviours related to oral health or medical conditions, as well as family life, child rearing, aging, and mortality. These circumstances could serve as a hindrance. Every culture has unique traditions that can have a big impact on dental health. The study aimed to know various cultural beliefs and traditional practices that effect oral health. Databases such as Google scholar, Scopus, and PubMed were used to obtain the articles related to cultural beliefs. A total 13 articles were included in this mixed approach review, out of which 8 studies were original articles and 5 were narrative review articles. In the present review, it was evident that various cultural beliefs and practices have an impact on oral care which resulted in tooth erosion, midline shift, recession, periodontal diseases, gingivitis, trauma, congenital defects, fracture, oral lesions, pigmentation, ulcerations, and missing teeth. Oral health is a result of a person’s lifestyle. Each of us approaches health and illness differently, both in terms of beliefs and practices. One should understand the detrimental effects of the culture beliefs and traditional practices around us and protect health and oral health.