21/03/2022
& #39;Be Proud of Your Mouth& #39; is the three year theme for World Oral Health Day (WOHD). It aims
at motivating people to value and take care of their mouths and protect their general health and
well-being by doing so. An unhealthy mouth not only impacts general health but it can have a
severe impact on people’s emotional, social, mental, and overall physical well-being whereas a
healthy mouth and a healthy body go hand in hand. Maintaining a healthy mouth is crucial to
keeping it functioning correctly and for maintaining overall health and quality of life.
Ancient Egyptian and Chinese texts have revealed that cultures have maintained the importance
of maintaining good oral hygiene for decades. From using primitive tools like porcupine quills,
fish bones, or feathers to slightly advanced use of tree barks, In one form or the other, oral health
has played a significant part in all our cultures.
Historically Toothbrushes apparently originated in the fourteenth century. In China. By the
1400s, people started making bristles plucked from cold climate pigs, fixed them to some bone
or wood, and used them as toothbrushes. During the same time in Europe, salt was mixed in a
solution of brandy and water, and it was used to rinse clean the mouth, and then some sponge
was used to rub the teeth to remove anything stuck between the teeth.
However, there were a majority of people who did not care about oral hygiene. Diseases began to
emerge for which there was no cure and Traditional herbs were tried and used to manage the
ailments.
World Oral Health Day was thus first started in 2013 with the aim to create awareness about oral
health and available treatment options. Since then every year’s Oral Health Day has followed a
specific theme. “Be proud of your mouth” is the 3 year theme from 2021-2023.
On this world oral health day I would like you to know a few important “to know” pointers about
oral health:
2.3 billion suffer from tooth decay.
Oral health is not just teeth and mouth : It refers to the head, face, and oral cavity.
To***co and sugar: Two most deadly contributors to bad oral health.
All a good Oral health plan would include is:
1. Regular brushing of teeth,
2. create awareness about oral health, and,
3. Regular Dental check ups
It’s never too early or too late to start looking after your mouth; your body will thank you.
Say Ahh: Think Mouth, Think Health !!
