Dentists seek reduction of oral diseases on World Oral Health Day

Edo State Chairman of Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr. Clement Azodo, yesterday, urged Nigerians to reduce the burden of oral diseases.

He also called on nursing mothers to engage in exclusive breast-feeding to ensure proper dental development of children, the future leaders.

Azodo made the call in commemoration of the 2023 World Oral Health Day (WOHD), with the theme: “Be Proud of Your Mouth,” in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Azodo said WOHD celebration by the Edo State branch of NDA is also targeted at empowering people with the knowledge, tools and confidence to secure good oral health.

“The world marks the WOHD yearly on every March 20. It is a day, we ask the world to unite to help reduce the burden of oral diseases, which affect individuals, health systems and economies everywhere. The main purpose is to empower people with the knowledge, tools and confidence to secure good oral health.

“This year, we want to inspire change by focusing on the importance of oral health at every stage of life, because no matter what age you are, caring for your mouth and looking after your oral health is important. This is because mouth plays roles in eating, speech, socialisation, self-confidence, general well-being and quality of life at different stages of life,” he said.

According to him, good oral health helps to achieve longer, healthier and quality life.

He noted that to be in good oral health and be proud of your mouth usually required very low cost, while asking Nigerians to go for twice-yearly dental check-up to ensure oral diseases are detected in its early stage and promptly treated.

“Sadly, however, to attain a state of being proud with one’s mouth is a very difficult task for many in our communities. The consequences of failure to achieve this state of being ‘mouth proud’ leads to poor oral health and this can exert a huge harmful toll on individuals, families, groups and communities.

“Regrettably, majority of Nigerians come to the dental clinic late when in pain and oral diseases are at their late stages. Unfortunately, treatment of oral diseases in its late stage is very costly,” he said.

Azodo urged Nigerians to make yearly visits to dental clinics regular routine as neglect of mouth care is very costly in the long run.