Maintaining oral health hygiene is essential to a child’s general health and well-being.

Nigeria Dental Association

The President of the Nigerian Dental Association, Dr Evelyn Eshikena, has advised parents to take care of their children’s oral health, noting that poor oral health can negatively affect a child’s confidence.

Eshikena said, “The 2019 celebrations, themed, Say Ahh!….Act On Mouth Health, motivates everyone, children and adults alike, to take tangible action towards their oral health. Maintaining oral health hygiene is essential to a child’s general health and well-being.

“People should also cultivate the habit of going for a dental checkup once in six months. If we all make deliberate efforts to take these steps, our oral hygiene level as a nation will improve and become better than what it is now.”

She urged parents and guardians to encourage their children or wards to brush their teeth two times in a day, as this would guarantee good oral health.

Also, the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Titilayo Gonzalez, said the state government was committed to improving the oral health status of its citizens through the provision of grassroots oral health care services focused mainly on preventive care and oral health education.

 “We will continue to advocate that risk factors for poor oral and physical health are avoided.

“We will also continue to stress the need for people to adopt good oral hygiene habits and regular dental checkups.

“Children are our future and confirmed agents of change. I implore us to continue to encourage them to brush day and night along with family members,” Gonzalez said.

 She said the risk factors for poor oral health were, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise and poor dietary habits.