‘LIVE MOUTH SMART’: Celebrating World Oral Health Day 2017

Namita Nayyar (WF Team)

7 years ago

Launched on 20 March 2013 World Oral Health Day is celebrated all over the world dedicated to raising global awareness of the issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene. FDI promotes good oral hygiene and practice in communities around the world through Live.Learn.Laugh, which enables FDI member National Dental Associations (NDAs) to implement oral health projects locally and promotes the message of brushing twice-a-day with a fluoride toothpaste.

Bacteria can live in your mouth in the form of plaque, causing cavities and gingivitis, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. If neglected, oral cancer and gum diseases may give rise to heart attacks, brain haemorrhage, kidney and lung diseases, diabetes, shrinking of veins and aorta and premature birth. In order to keep your mouth clean, you must practice good oral hygiene every day.

Adopting Good Oral Hygiene

Brush your teeth with fluoride-containing toothpaste at least twice daily.
Go for regular dental check-ups.
Chew sugar-free gum after eating and drinking on-the-go.
Avoid risk factors such as tobacco
Harmful use of alcohol can be dangerous.
Avoid consumption of unhealthy diets – especially those rich in sugar.

How to brush and floss your teeth

The American Dental Association recommends the following techniques for brushing and flossing your teeth:

Brushing

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Flossing

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind it around the middle fingers of each hand. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
• Bring the floss back toward the contact point between the teeth and move the floss up or down the other side, conforming the floss to the shape of the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.

A healthy mouth allows you to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions with confidence and without pain, discomfort and disease.