- World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is celebrated every year on March 20.
- This year's theme focuses on a simple but powerful message: Be Proud of Your Mouth. In other words, value and take care of it.
- Join the conversation online and use the hashtags #MouthProud and #WOHD2021.
This year, WOHD emphasizes on the importance of oral health for our overall wellness, because good oral health can help us live longer, healthier lives. This special day asks us to unite and help reduce the burden of oral diseases by equipping people with information, tools, and confidence to achieve good oral health.
3.5 billion people globally are affected with oral diseases.
Untreated tooth decay in permanent teeth is the most common health condition around the world.
More than 530 million children suffer from decay of milk teeth.
Here are 7 ways to improve your oral health.
Look after your oral health for your overall health.
Treatment of oral diseases is important to stop any negative effects on the rest of your body. Studies have shown that poor oral health is linked to diabetes, heart diseases, gastric and esophageal cancer, breast cancer, gut inflammation, obesity, and many others.
Protect your mouth while on the go.
There are ways to look after your oral health while on the go. Chew sugar-free gum to help neutralize plaque acids in your mouth. If you don’t have a toothbrush with you at work, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after having lunch or a snack. Keep a floss in your bag.
Educate children on oral health early in life.
Let’s teach our children the value of good oral health at an early age. Be a good example to your kids, keep a nutritious diet and a healthy lifestyle. Establish a good oral hygiene routine at home and make sure they brush and floss regularly.
Take charge of your oral health.
Take an active part in taking care of your teeth and gums. Guard your oral health and make it your priority. See your dentist, stop smoking, floss regularly, wear a night guard if you grind your teeth while sleeping.
Eat a balanced, low-sugar diet.
We all know that a balanced diet is good for our health.
As far as our oral health is concerned, the World Oral Health (WHO) says that the burden of oral disease is high across the world because of high consumption of free sugars.
Free sugars include all sugars added to food by the manufacturers, cooks, or consumers. Think about all the sugar we add to the meals we cook and those commercially added to yoghurt, cereals, dried fruits, pastries, jams, jellies, savory sauces, salad dressings, juices, and wine.
Did you know? A packet of ketchup contains at least 5 grams of sugar and a can of soda may contain up to 10 teaspoons of sugar.
Practice good oral hygiene routine.
You may have heard it many times before: It is very important to brush our teeth at least twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste to remove all the plaque (biofilm) that forms on our teeth. Ask your dentist or hygienist about other ways to keep your mouth healthy at home – floss, fluoride mouthwashes, interdental brushes.
Visit the dentist regularly.
Prevention is better than cure. See your dentist regularly and do not wait until you have any symptoms. Regular check-ups will help you avoid painful and serious oral conditions and will save you from potentially expensive treatments.
