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March 20 is a day designated by the Federation of Dentists Internationale (FDI) to celebrate World Oral Health Day. But is this celebration worthwhile or just a means by which a group of professionals seek relevance? This year’s celebration perfectly captures this question with the theme: “Think Mouth, Think Health”, which expounds on the connection between oral health and general health.
The mouth is a little member of the body, upon which many bestow attention, and perhaps remains one of the most neglected aspects of health for majority in the populace. Nonetheless, the role it plays in the health of the body cannot be overemphasized.
HOW IT MATTERS
1. It Shares Risk Factors: Oral health shares common risk factors with many non-communicable diseases that plague the world today. Eating fruits and vegetables which has been proven to enhance the health of the gums will also protect against atherosclerosis and cancers, same for reduction of alcohol intake and cessation of smoking and use of tobacco in any form.
2. It Has a Bi-Directional Relationship with Systemic Diseases: Because of its rich source of bacteria, the mouth can cause diseases in other parts of the body if bacteria from plaque and calculus gets dislodged into other parts of the body. On the other hand, diseases from other parts of the body also affect the mouth thereby causing oral diseases. These links have been established in diseases such as heart disease, respiratory disease, some cancers and diabetes.
3. The Mouth Hurts: The mouth is a source of excruciating pain, so you won’t want to have a feel of oral diseases, they are better prevented than experienced.
HOW YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOUTH
- Eat Healthy Foods: A balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Reduce intake of refined sugar: Refined sugar contribute significantly to tooth decay.
- Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Quit Smoking or use of tobacco products.
- Brush Twice Daily With Fluoridated Toothpaste and a Medium Textured Toothbrush
- Floss Daily
- See the Dentist Twice a year for routine scaling and polishing.
Think Mouth, Think Health because the health of the mouth isn’t exclusive of the health of the rest of the body but an integral part of it.
Oluwatola Toluwani, writes from Obafemi Awolowo University.
