Home page

【Oral Health】Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body! — World Oral Health Day 2024 (March 20)

Time：

2024-05-23

World Oral Health Day on March 20th this year, under the theme "A Healthy Mouth for a Healthy Body," aims to broadly mobilize social forces through related activities to promote dental disease prevention among the public.

The date "3/20" carries three symbolic meanings: first, the "8020 goal" – retaining 20 natural teeth at the age of 80; second, children should have 20 primary teeth; and third, adults possess 32 permanent teeth with zero cavities. These numerical associations collectively form the significance behind "3/20."

Excuse me, do you know which aspects are more important for a healthy mouth?
·Heart Health
·Respiratory health

·Pregnancy Health
·Diabetes management

Always paying attention to oral health means that you are also protecting your overall health.

For example, gum disease (periodontitis) and tooth loss are associated with certain types of cancer; Poor oral hygiene and untreated oral diseases increase the risk of heart disease and stroke; Gum disease is associated with low birth weight infants, premature birth, and preeclampsia; The pathogens associated with gingivitis are related to the development of Alzheimer's disease; Dental infections can increase the risk of pneumonia, especially in the elderly; Gingival disease is an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes, poor diabetes outcomes and poor glycemic control.

Prevention is key
Most oral diseases are largely preventable, and we need to firmly grasp the power to make positive changes.

Raise awareness of the importance of gum health
• Gum disease begins with gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). In most cases, inflammation is reversible in this initial stage.
• If left untreated, it can develop into more severe periodontal disease, damaging the supporting tissues of teeth and alveolar bone. The damage caused at this time is irreversible and permanent.
• Gum disease can affect chewing and speech, and may lead to tooth loss. It is also associated with other health problems such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Raise awareness of health risks caused by sugar intake
Dental caries is the most common health problem worldwide. Excessive sugar intake from snacks, processed foods and beverages not only leads to caries, but also is the main cause of obesity, and increases the risk of diabetes and other non infectious diseases. Reducing sugar intake is crucial for oral and overall health.

• Pay attention to the intake of sugar. Adults should not consume more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day. Children should not exceed 3 teaspoons.
• When cooking, check the food label and pay attention to the sugar content.
• Be wary of 'zero calories'. Sugar containing beverages such as soda water, fruit juice, sports drinks, and energy drinks have no nutritional value.
• Water is the main beverage.
• Avoid eating sugary snacks between meals.

Raise awareness of the harm of tobacco to oral health
• Tobacco use is the most common cause of preventable diseases and deaths worldwide.
• Smoking increases the risk of gum disease (periodontitis) and oral cancer. It can also cause tooth discoloration, bad breath, premature tooth loss, and loss of taste and smell.
• Tobacco use includes cigarettes, hookah, cigars, small cigars, heated tobacco, homemade cigarettes, pipes, bidi cigarettes, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and chewing betel nut or betel nut chunks.