The Director of Intercountry Centre for Oral Health (ICOH) for Africa, Dr Balarabe Sani, says Nigerians should learn preventive oral health practices.
Sani said this on Monday in Jos at the World Oral Health day with the theme: “Be proud of your mouth for a lifetime of smiles”.
According to him, preventive oral health practices are cost efficient and contributed immensely to continuous healthy living.
He said that preventive practices such as brushing twice daily, using a fluoridated toothpaste, adoption of healthy diet, lifestyles and keeping dental appointments twice yearly should be adopted for a healthy oral.
“Nigerians must regularly take care of their oral health by ensuring they adopt healthy oral practices, such as brushing twice daily.
“They should avoid very hot meals, avoid harmful oral practices such as teeth filing by unprofessionals and inculcating the act of visiting the dentists and institutions responsible for oral care,” he said.
Sani said that problems related to oral diseases could lead to pain, discomfort, social isolation and loss of self-confidence, which would also lead to other serious health issues.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organisation is a Federal Government Agency with the Federal Ministry of Health and it is responsible for oral health research and training initiatives.(NAN)
