Be Proud Of Your Mouth

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When was the last time you paid a visit to your dentist? Dental care can be rather expensive, more so without health insurance. In many poor income families going to the dentist is a luxury. As a result, many of us tend to neglect our oral health. However, research has stated that there is link between our overall well-being and that of our oral health. Additionally, the on-going COVID-19 pandemic has also played a significant role in delaying oral health care for many in need of same. The World Health Organization (WHO), states most oral health conditions are largely preventable and can be treated in their early stages. The majority of cases are dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal diseases, oral cancers, oro-dental trauma, cleft lip and palate, and noma (severe gangrenous disease starting in the mouth mostly affecting children). The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 estimated that oral diseases affect close to 3.5 billion people worldwide, with caries of permanent teeth being the most common condition1. Globally, it is estimated that 2 billion people suffer from caries of permanent teeth1 and 520 million children suffer from caries of primary teeth. According to the WHO, in most low- and middle-income countries, the prevalence of oral diseases continues to increase with growing urbanization and changes in living conditions. This is primarily due to inadequate exposure to fluoride (in the water supply and oral hygiene products such as toothpaste), availability and affordability of food with high sugar content and poor access to oral health care services in the community. Marketing of food and beverages high in sugar, as well as tobacco and alcohol, have led to a growing consumption of products that contribute to oral health conditions and other noncommunicable diseases. The theme for World Oral Health Day is: Be Proud Of Your Mouth. Prevention The burden of oral diseases and other noncommunicable diseases can be reduced through public health interventions by addressing common risk factors. These include: the promotion of a well-balanced diet low in free sugars and high in fruit and vegetables, and favouring water as the main drink; stopping use of all forms of tobacco, including chewing of areca nuts. Adequate exposure to fluoride is an essential factor in the prevention of dental caries. An optimal level of fluoride can be obtained from different sources such as fluoridated drinking water, salt, milk and toothpaste. It is recommended to visit your dentist twice yearly for cleaning and examiniation. Finally, we should never forget to floss and brush our teeth at least twice-daily with fluoride-containing toothpaste. Be proud of your mouth; take care of your oral health. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #WorldOralHealthDay #BeProudOfYourMouth

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