The Executive Director of a non-governmental organisation, Health Education and Empowerment Initiative, HEDEN, Mrs. Folasade Ofurune, has warned against taking oral health for granted.
She explained that the mouth served as the window into the health of a person’s body.
Ofurune who spoke at a programme organised for physically challenged persons in Oko Oba area of Agege, Lagos State, stressed that poor oral health could lead to other health hazards.
She stated that the risk factors in oral health included unhealthy diet, tobacco use, alcohol abuse and poor oral hygiene.
She however said poor oral health could be prevented by reducing sugar intake, eating balanced diet to prevent tooth decay and premature tooth loss; eating fruits and vegetables and stoppage of tobacco use and alcohol abuse.
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Other methods to ensure good oral health, she said were the maintaining of proper oral hygiene, using fluoride toothpaste, rinsing the mouth well after eating and using safety gears during sport.
She added that when in a vehicle, there is the need to prevent facial injuries.
Ofurune said brushing twice a day for at least four minutes each time and flossing daily was necessary.
She said individuals desirous of a good oral health should change toothbrush every three months, stop smoking and visit the dentist regularly.
The programme which included adequate information on oral health to the physically challenged people ended with the distribution of toothpastes and toothbrushes to about 50 physically challenged men.
The programme also attracted able bodied persons.
