03 February 2021, Cagayan de Oro City – Oral health is one of the most overlooked aspects of health. To arouse and promote oral health consciousness among the public, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared the month of February as the National Dental Health Month (NDHM) in 2004. In the observance of the 17th NDHM celebration, the theme is “Brush at Floss Kontra Tooth Loss!”. The month-long celebration is spearheaded by the Philippine Dental Association (PDA).
Oral health isn’t just about healthy teeth and oral hygiene. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is a key indicator for overall health, well-being and quality of life. Our mouth is the entry point of our digestive and respiratory systems. Without proper oral hygiene, the harmless bacteria in our mouth may cause disease.
The common oral health conditions are dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal (gum) diseases, oral cancers, cleft lip and palate, and noma (gangrenous disease of the mouth and face).
Dental caries is a global problem affecting half of the world’s population (WHO, 2017). It causes discomfort and difficulties in eating and sleeping. Abscesses, advanced stage of tooth decay, may result in pain and chronic systemic infection.
Periodontal disease is the infection of the gum and tissue that holds the teeth. It is characterized by bleeding or swollen gums (gingivitis). Severe periodontal disease may result in tooth loss. This disease affects 10% of the global population. Meanwhile, oral cancer is the most common cancer in some countries of Asia and the Pacific.
High sugar diet, alcohol, and tobacco use, which are the risk factors of non-communicable disease, are also the factors that contribute to oral disease. Further, studies found that people with diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease. And, some evidence suggests that oral bacteria may be linked to heart disease.
Oral health if neglected poses a health burden that may affect a person’s lifetime. But the good thing is, oral diseases are preventable and can be treated.
To promote oral health, the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) launched their Hatid Impormasyon: Suliraning Oral (HISO) health promotion campaign last 2020. HISO campaigns for:
- Use of correct fluoride content of toothpaste: 1000ppm for 6 months old-6 years old and 1500ppm for 6 years old and above.
- Putting the right amount of toothpaste in the brush: rice grain size for under 3 years old children; legume size for 3-6 years old children; and red bean seed size for 6 years old and above.
- The correct way of brushing the teeth: circular motion, side to side, up and down in all parts of the teeth including the tongue.
- To practice not rinsing with water when brushing, just spit.
- Brushing the teeth 2-3 times a day for at least 1-2 minutes (day and night, especially before going to bed).
- Avoid consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Dentists even recommend avoiding frequent snacking.
- Eating healthy and nutritious foods and drinking 8-10 glasses of water every day.
- Consulting a dentist every six months.
Aside from basic hygiene, nutrition plays an integral role to promote tooth and gum health. Calcium-rich foods like milk, milk products, green leafy vegetables strengthen teeth and bones. Likewise, Vitamin C rich foods strengthen the gums.
Our mouth is the window of our body’s health. Thus, there is a need to give importance to our oral health not just for a brighter and beautiful smile but for a healthier life. (NO II Arlie Joy O. Damiles)
Reference:
World Health Organization. 25 March 2020. Oral health. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
Mayo Clinic. 4 June 2019. Oral health: A window to your overall health. Retrieve from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475
World Health Organization. October 2017. Sugars and dental caries. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/oral_health/publications/sugars-dental-caries-keyfacts/en/
American Dental Association. April 2006. Healthy mouth, healthy body. The Journal of the American Dental Association. Vol. 137. Retrieved from: https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Publications/Files/patient_61.ashx
