SAYUNITE FOR MOUTH HEALTH

Why you should pledge this World Oral Health Day

FACT SHEET FOROLDER ADULTS

Whatever your age, taking care of your mouth is crucial for your general health and well-being. A good oral hygiene routine, regular dental check-ups and a healthy lifestyle will help protect your mouth and body. Pledge to look after your oral health and inspire others to do the same.

Make a pledge for good oral hygiene

WHAT WILL YOU PLEDGE TO DO?

PLEDGE TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH THE RIGHT WAY

Brushing the right way is really important for a healthy mouth. Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, using a fluoride toothpaste. Follow the right brushing tech-nique using either a manual or electric toothbrush. This means brushing in circular motions – not back and forth. Finally, spit but do not rinse your mouth with water straight after brushing as that can wash the protective fluoride away. Are you doing all these things already? If not, make a pledge to put it right.

PLEDGE TO

PLEDGE TO

PLEDGE TO LOOK AFTER YOUR DENTURES

If you wear removable dentures, they still need to be cleaned daily, using a specialist denture cleaner or soap and water as recommended by your dentist. Could your dentures be cleaner?

clean your dentures properly every day

brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, using

a fluoride toothpaste

PLEDGE TO

Make a pledge to avoid a dry mouth

PLEDGE TO FLOSS REGULARLY

Floss and interdental cleaners help you reach those di�cult areas between your teeth. Regular cleaning helps to dislodge food and may reduce gum disease and bad breath by removing plaque that forms along the gum line. If you don’t do it already, make a pledge to floss daily, or to let your dentist teach you how to do it.

PLEDGE FOR

PLEDGE TO

make flossing part of your daily oral care routine

PLEDGE TO LEARN HOW A DRY MOUTH COULD AFFECT YOU

A dry mouth can a�ect how comfortably you can eat, speak, swallow, chew, and smile. Dry mouth happens when you don’t have enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Saliva helps you carry out a number of functions and also cleanses your mouth, which lessens the e�ect of acids that can cause dental caries. A dry mouth can be caused by tobacco and alcohol use, some medications as well as other diseases.

PLEDGE TO

manage your risk factors to help avoid a dry mouth

a healthy mouth at all times!

DRINK small amounts of water regularly

throughout the day

PLEDGE TO PROTECT YOUR MOUTH WHEN ON THE GO

It’s not always possible to brush your teeth after every snack or meal, especially when you’re on the go. Chew sugar-free gum instead, or rinse with a fluoride mouth-wash.

PLEDGE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT A DRY MOUTH

Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candies can help stimulate salivary flow. Drinking water with meals to help chew and swallow food can also be beneficial to a dry mouth. Using alcohol-free mouth rinse, a moisturizing mouth spray or gel, or artificial saliva can also help.

PLEDGE TO

PLEDGE TO

Make a pledge for regular dental check-ups

Make a pledge for a healthier lifestyle

PLEDGE TO VISIT THE DENTIST REGULARLY

The best way to protect your mouth is by going to the dentist for regular check-ups and dental cleanings. The dental team will remove any build-up of plaque, which if not managed, can lead to tooth decay or gum disease (periodontitis). If you wear dentures, they also need to be checked regularly. They can also advise on how regularly you need to book an appointment, depending on your specific needs.

PLEDGE TO HELP THE DENTIST KEEP YOUR BALANCE

The joint of your jaw contributes to preserving your balance. Tooth loss without replacement and loose or overused dentures may increase the risk of falls. If a tooth becomes loose, or if your dentures no longer fit properly, go and see your dentist as soon as possible.

book a dentist appointment, if you don’t already have one scheduled

in the diary

PLEDGE TOPLEDGE TO LIMIT SUGAR IN YOUR DIET

Too many sugary foods and drinks are bad for everyone – they are the number one cause of tooth decay. As adults, we should be having no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar* daily, for children it’s 3. Do you think you’re exceeding this?

cut down on sugary treats and find tasty

alternatives

get any loose teeth or dentures fixed by

your dentist

www.w hd.org

PLEDGE TO

PLEDGE TO SAY NO TO TOBACCO

Tobacco in any form, smoking or smokeless, is unsafe. Tobacco increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer, and causes teeth staining, bad breath, premature tooth loss, dry mouth and loss of taste and smell.

PLEDGE FOR

avoid using tobacco to protect your mouth

and body

limit how much alcohol you drink – reach for

water instead!

PLEDGE TO AVOID ALCOHOL

Drinking too much alcohol is a major risk factor for a lot of diseases, including oral diseases. The acid and high sugar content of most alcoholic drinks can erode your teeth or cause dental caries.

*Refers to free sugars that are added to foods and drinks by the manufacturer, cook, or consumer, and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juice and fruit juice concentrates. It does not refer to sugar that is naturally present in fruits, vegetables and milk.

DISCLAIMER: This information is based on FDI global recommendations and national guidelines may di�er, so please consult with your dentist or National Dental Association to ensure they comply with local recommendations.

This World Oral Health Day, we want everyone to Unite for Mouth Health

because a healthy mouth enables us to ENJOY LIFE…and that’s something definitely worth pledging for.