Article at a Glance
- March 20th is World Oral Health Day. The theme for 2019 is “Say Ahh: Act on Mouth Health.”
- There are many ways you can celebrate, but the most important step you can take is to commit to prioritizing your personal oral health.
- Try some fun activities to reinforce your own commitment or to help make oral care a priority for your kids.
Keeping a healthy mouth for a healthy life is one of the key ideas behind World Oral Health Day. Since most people will suffer from an oral disease over the course of a lifetime, the importance of good oral health is definitely a global issue. Whether you’ve celebrated since the beginning or this is your first time participating, it’s the perfect time to join in and contribute to World Oral Health Day.
World Oral Health Day
Worldwide, millions of people suffer from poor oral health and oral diseases, so FDI World Dental Federation created World Oral Health Day in 2007. Officially celebrated for the first time on March 20, 2013, the global movement aims to educate. It is the culmination of a year-long campaign to spread the word about the importance of good oral health, oral disease prevention, and treatment options. The theme for World Health Day 2019 is “Say Ahh: Act on Mouth Health” and encourages a lifelong commitment to good oral care.
World Oral Health Day Activities
There are many ways you can get involved in spreading the message this year. From events to posters to social media shout-outs, there is something for everybody to contribute.
Shout Out on Social Media
Social media platforms are perfect for spreading the message globally.
- Take pictures or videos or share memes with the hashtags #SayAhh and #WOHD19.
- Join the selfie campaign on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #ActOnMouthHealth.
- Make a poster on the WOHD website and share it across social media.
Seek out Special Events
If you’re looking to participate in person, there are plenty of World Health Day Activities if you know where to look.
- Look for an event near you. There are oral health promotion activities held all around the world. You can choose from meetings, campaigns, lectures, and even a flashmob!
- If you don’t see something that piques your interest, why not organize your own? Get your community involved and submit your event to the WOHD website to be included on the event map.
Refine Your Oral Health Care Routine
Have you been a little lax with your oral health routine? This is the perfect time to get back into the swing of things and recommit to a good dental care routine.
- Brush at least twice per day for two minutes. Don’t forget your gum line or your tongue!
- Floss daily to keep your gums strong and prevent plaque build-up between teeth.
- Eat a balanced diet, especially with foods that fight bacteria and inflammation.
- If you smoke, quit as soon as possible! Smoking has been linked to greater risks of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Be sure to see your dentist every six months for regular cleanings and check-ups. Regular visits allow your dental professionals to catch small issues before they become big problems.
Make Oral Health Care Fun for Kids
If you have kids in your life, try to make their dental care routines fun so they’ll stick with it. Explain the importance of good oral health care and how people all over the world are doing the same thing!
- Kids should see a dentist for the first time between the ages of 6 months and one year. Pediatric dentists are trained to work with kids and can make the experience fun!
- Make sure you’re modeling good dental care routines for your kids. You can even make teeth brushing a family affair. If you’re really having trouble getting your kids on board, try some of these ideas to infuse a little fun.
Promoting Oral Health
Good oral health impacts more than your mouth, it’s important to your well-being. It’s a global issue that affects people of every age, race, and gender.
If it’s been a while since you’ve seen a dentist or if you’re due for your six-month check-up, take a few minutes today to make an appointment at the Jefferson Dental Care clinic near you. Promoting good oral health starts with you!
Additional Sources:
https://www.fdiworlddental.org/what-we-do/world-oral-health-day
http://www.worldoralhealthday.org
http://www.worldoralhealthday.org/events
