March 20th is celebrated as World Oral Health Day every year globally. The theme for 2021 is “Be Proud of Your Mouth”. It emphasizes on the importance of taking care of your oral health and aids in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

It is an annual event organized by the World Dental Federation to raise awareness on the significance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

Why is Oral Health Important?

Oral health is a vital component of an individual’s overall health and well-being. Improper oral hygiene often leads to gum infections, tooth decay, bad breath, and even tooth loss.

Poor oral health also doubles the risk of developing serious health conditions such as heart disease, pneumonia, and cancer.

Apart from the health risks, poor oral hygiene also affects an individual’s self-esteem, as it can arise to low confidence and social anxiety.

How to Maintain Good Oral Health?

Good oral health is a straightforward process that requires a few simple steps.

: Brushing

The first and the most important step towards proper oral hygiene is brushing your teeth after meals with fluoride toothpaste.

It is essential to brush twice daily, once in the morning after waking up and at night before going to bed, for at least two minutes each time.

: Flossing

Flossing your teeth on a daily basis helps in removing food particles and plaque between your teeth and gums where a toothbrush cannot reach. It aids in preventing gum diseases and tooth decay.

: Maintain a balanced diet

As the saying goes, “You are what you eat,” it is applicable to maintain a balanced diet to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Consuming more fruits, vegetables, and drinking enough water helps in promoting good oral hygiene.

Restrict intaking sugary foods and beverages, as they increase the risk of tooth decay.

: Regular dental check-ups

Visiting your dentist regularly, at least twice a year, ensures that your oral hygiene is on the right track. A dentist can detect the early signs of gum diseases and can treat them promptly.

Dental check-ups can also prevent the possibility of tooth loss and damage caused by cavities and other oral health issues.

Why Celebrate World Oral Health Day?

Celebrating World Oral Health Day creates awareness among individuals regarding the significance of oral hygiene. It helps in highlighting the importance of taking care of our oral health and promotes good oral hygiene practices to people worldwide.

It also helps in recognizing the dental professionals who work relentlessly to ensure that individuals maintain good oral health. It aims to educate people and create awareness among them about the importance of oral hygiene.

How to Celebrate World Oral Health Day?

There are several ways individuals can celebrate World Oral Health Day, including:.

: Organizing Oral Health Camps

Organizing oral health camps in schools, workplaces, and community centers to educate people about oral health is one way of celebrating World Oral Health Day.

: Distribution of Oral Hygiene Kits

Distributing oral hygiene kits like toothbrushes, toothpaste in schools and communities is an excellent way of promoting good oral hygiene practices.

: Hosting Oral Health Awareness events

Organizing events like workshops, seminars, and webinars are an excellent way of providing an in-depth understanding of oral health to individuals, especially to children.

: Conclusion

World Oral Health Day is a crucial event that reminds everyone to maintain good oral hygiene practices.

It aims to promote healthy teeth and gums and raise minimal awareness about the impact of poor oral hygiene on an individual’s overall health and well-being. Celebrating World Oral Health Day ensures that individuals maintain good oral health practices, and it helps in creating a healthier world.