World Oral Health Day 2020: History, Significance, and Theme of Oral Health Day

World Oral Health Day is an international day celebrated every year on 20 March and launches a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the issues around oral health and the significance of oral hygiene so governments, health associations and the overall population can cooperate to accomplish healthier mouths and happier lives.

World Oral Health Day is organized by FDI World Dental Federation and is praised over the world. This day perceives the significance of good oral hygiene practice to grown-ups and kids. It likewise features the significance of optimal oral health in keeping up general health and prosperity. Every year it is praised with a theme and gives a message to the public in regards to oral health.

World Oral Health Day spreads messages about great oral hygiene practices to grown-ups and children the same and exhibits the significance of optimal oral health in keeping up general health and prosperity.

Every year, World Oral Health Day focuses on a particular theme and connects with the public, oral health experts, and policymakers, who all have a role to carry out in decreasing the burden of oral disease.

Of the total populace, 90% will suffer from oral diseases in the course of their life, numerous avoidable. Organized by FDI World Dental Federation, World Oral Health Day includes campaigns by national dental associations from around the globe with activities in more than 130 nations, not forgetting about the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) and the National Association Of Dental Students (NADS) of Nigeria.

World Oral Health Day: History

World Oral Health Day was first announced in 2007 and was initially celebrated on 12 September – the birth date of FDI founder Dr. Charles Godon. Nonetheless, the campaign was not completely activated until 2013, after the date was changed to 20 March to keep away from strife with the FDI World Dental Congress occurring in September.

The new date was picked to reflect that:

• Seniors must have an aggregate of 20 natural teeth toward a mind-blowing finish of their life to be viewed as healthy
• Children ought to have 20 baby teeth
• Healthy grown-ups must have an aggregate of 32 teeth and 0 dental cavities
• Communicated on a numerical premise this can be interpreted as 3/20 thus March 20

World Oral Health Day was propelled on 20 March 2013 by FDI World Dental Federation. The day additionally denotes the launch of a year-long campaign to raise awareness of oral health and prevention of oral diseases. Since 2013 these campaigns have highlighted a particular theme.

Since 2014 and as a team with its daughter organization, International Association of Dental Students (IADS), FDI organizes an annual worldwide competition for best awareness and prophylactic activities held by dental student associations in celebration of World Oral Health Day.

World Oral Health Day 2020: Theme

The theme of World Oral Health day 2020 is “Unite for Mouth Health”. The theme spotlights on the best way to deal with mouth and body. FDI on World Health Oral Day wanted to take the vow to take care of their oral wellbeing and to put forth attempts to diminish the burden of oral hygiene.

In 2020, FDI will utilize the transformative power of promises to tell individuals the best way to deal with their mouth and body and enable them to make positive and lasting change. We want everybody to make a vow to care for their oral health. Through everybody’s aggregate promises and efforts, we want to diminish the burden of oral disease around the world.

Why is World Oral Health Day celebrated?

A few people in the world confront or suffer oral diseases yet these conditions can be kept away from by raising awareness, education and by giving the correct knowledge. World Oral Health Day is additionally celebrated to help and give funds for the prevention, detection and treatment program. FDI encourages all the individuals from National Dental Associations, associations government and non-government, media to take an interest in national and global activities and work towards improving oral health.

We can’t disregard that oral health is the key indicator of overall health, prosperity, and quality of life. As indicated by WHO oral health is “a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sores, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that limit an individual’s capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and psychosocial wellbeing”.

Oral health: A window to overall health

Oral health is an essential part of General Health. The health of our mouth, teeth, and gums can influence our general health.

Oral health likewise offers clues about our overall health as issues in our mouth can influence the rest of our body. We can protect ourselves by finding out about the connection between oral health and overall health.

What’s the connection between oral health and overall health?

Like different zones of the body, our mouth abounds with bacteria — for the most part innocuous. Be that as it may, our mouth is the entry point to our digestive and respiratory tracts, and some of these bacteria can cause disease.

Normally the body’s natural defenses and great oral health care, for example, day by day brushing and flossing, monitor bacteria. In any case, without appropriate oral hygiene, bacteria can arrive at levels that may prompt oral infections, for example, tooth rot and gum disease.

Additionally, certain meds, for example, decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics, and antidepressants can decrease saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids created by bacteria in the mouth, assisting with protecting us from microbes that increase and lead to disease.

How might we secure our oral health?

To secure oral health, one must practice great oral hygiene every day.

Brushing at least two times per day with a soft-bristled brush using fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily. Use of mouthwash. Eating a healthy eating regimen and limiting food with included sugars. Replacing toothbrush every three months or sooner if bristles are spread or worn.

Scheduling standard dental checkups and cleanings. Avoiding tobacco use.

Additionally, contact your dentist as soon as an oral health issue emerges. Dealing with your oral health is an investment in your overall health.