The Tribune

Dr Tamika Ferguson

World Oral Health Day is recognised every year on March 20. It was launched in 2013 by the FDI World Dental Federation to help raise awareness of the importance of having good oral health and to highlight the significance a healthy mouth has on the entire body. World Oral Health day is promoted locally by national dental associations in over 140 countries worldwide.

World Oral Health Day is important because 90 per cent of the world’s population will suffer from oral diseases that can be avoided through prevention, detection and treatment.

It is a day dental associations have a platform to take action and educate the public on their oral health status and stress treatment options to prevent disease.

Oral health can be defined as the health of the mouth. Having a healthy mouth allows you to speak, smile, chew and convey different emotions without discomfort and disease. No matter the age – two or 82 – our oral health is vital to our well-being.

People tend not to realise the severity an unhealthy mouth can pose on their lifestyle. Oral disease can impact all aspects of your life from your attitude at work/school, to personal relationships or even enjoying a simple meal. It can also affect how you interact with others. If you are not confident in your smile, you may isolate yourself from others because you feel embarrassed about your teeth and people’s perception of your oral health.

An unhealthy mouth not only affects your self-confidence but can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Therefore, keeping your mouth healthy is vital to your overall health.

Each year a different theme is chosen for World Oral Health Day. The theme for 2017 is ‘Live Mouth Smart’.

Live Mouth Smart empowers people to take control of their oral health. It is geared toward influencing you to make decisions that will safeguard against oral diseases. By living mouth smart you understand the necessity of having good oral hygiene and how to avoid oral complications.

How to live mouth smart?

There are many ways to live mouth smart, two of these are:

• Adopt good oral hygiene habits

Good oral hygiene habits include the proper brushing and flossing of your teeth, professional cleanings and regular dental check-ups. Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. Visit your dentist every six months for your cleaning and check-up.

• Control risk factors

A lot of our behaviour and habits can pose a threat to our oral health such as the use of tobacco, excessive amounts of alcohol and an unhealthy diet. An unhealthy diet, high in sugar, is one of the main culprits in causing tooth decay. Consuming excessive amounts of sugar from snacks, processed food and soft drinks is a leading risk factor for oral disease. Smoking tobacco puts your mouth at an increased risk of gum disease and oral cancer. Tobacco can also cause teeth staining and bad breath.

World Oral Health Day in the Bahamas was celebrated on March 25. Dentists, hygienists and other dental professionals screened at the Mall at Marathon from 2pm to 6pm. It was a day of oral health education coupled with fun activities and giveaways.

A healthy mouth, free of oral disease, can be maintained by making smart choices when it comes to your oral hygiene and avoiding risk factors. Live mouth smart to enjoy a healthy, functional mouth throughout your lifetime.