Experts advocate dynamic approach to oral care

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark World Oral Health Day, experts are advocating a more dynamic approach to oral care to prevent complications that can affect overall health.

Chairman of the Nigerian Dental Association, FCT Chapter, Dr. Theophilus Agho, made the call in Abuja, emphasizing the need for regular dental check-ups at least every six months.

Speaking on this year’s theme, “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Mind,” Dr. Agho identified common oral conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia and psychogenic halitosis, stressing the importance of public awareness and education on oral health.

Two health practitioners at the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Khadija Mohammad and Dr. Pearl Ekeneme called for the establishment of oral health facilities at the primary healthcare level.

They also advised parents to instill good oral hygiene habits in their children from an early age.

Dr. Mohammad explains: “Parents can use gauze or a soft material to clean a baby’s mouth. Once the first teeth appear, a soft-bristle toothbrush should be introduced. By age five, children should be taught to brush under supervision.”

For Dr. Ekeneme, “When you have caries, it can lead to infections and when you have super layers of caries, it can lead to death when not treated. So people don’t take it seriously because they don’t understand the magnitude of this diseases. Habitual oral check-up routine is necessary to prevent this.”

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted that despite advancements in oral healthcare, Africa still lags behind in key oral health indicators. It noted that only 17% of the region’s population has access to essential oral healthcare services.
To address these challenges, WHO reaffirmed its commitment to the Regional Oral Health Strategy 2016–2025, aimed at integrating oral health into broader disease prevention programs.
World Oral Health Day is observed annually on March 20 to promote awareness and encourage better oral hygiene practices.