Some dental health specialists in separate interviews in Ibadan on Friday debunked a common myth that teething causes diarrhoea in infants.

The experts, in commemoration of World Oral Health Day (WOHD), noted that stooling in a teething baby is likely due to crawling on dirty surfaces and putting objects in their mouth. 

WOHD is celebrated annually on March 20, with this year’s theme as “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life.”

They also warned against using engine oil or battery fluid to cure dental issues, saying they could cause chemical burns and poisoning.

Folake Lawal, a dental public health specialist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said that teething might cause slight discomfort, restlessness, and mouth-rubbing.

Ms Lawal remarked that, however, significant fever or severe symptoms required medical attention, urging parents to seek proper medical help for their infants’ dental issues.

She expressed concern that the majority of Nigerians lacked adequate access to oral health care or to the professionals needed. She said the ratio of dental practitioners to population was far below the WHO recommendation.

Ms Lawal stated that many Nigerians suffer from gum and bone infections. She disclosed that dental caries (holes in the teeth) result from the intake of sugary foods and beverages.

“These should be minimised as they can lead not only to tooth decay (dental caries ) but also to other systemic issues like obesity and diabetes,” she said.

According to her, proper toothbrushing habits with fluoridated toothpaste and a medium-textured toothbrush twice daily will help maintain good oral health.

She said ingestion of tobacco and other substance abuse could lead to the development of cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, lungs, etc.

“Also, poor oral hygiene in pregnancy can predispose to low birth weight in babies,” she said.

Aderonke Dedeke, a dental public health specialist at UCH, Ibadan, urged parents and individuals to prioritise oral health.

Ms Dedeke stressed that using hard-bristle toothbrushes could damage the gums and that using blades to scrape calculus (dirt) off the tooth surfaces should be avoided.

“Avoid waiting till there’s pain to visit the dentist. Eating healthy fruits and vegetables (a balanced diet) is essential,” she said.

Ms Dedeke remarked that most dental clinics were in the urban areas and not enough to serve the populace.

She recommended that integrating oral health into the existing primary health care set-up would be a step in the right direction.

Ms Dedeke called for the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy and for outreach programmes to bring oral health services and education to underserved communities.

Similarly, Olushola Ibiyemi, professor of community dentistry at the University of Ibadan, highlighted Nigeria’s poor oral health, citing increasing rates of dental caries, tooth wear lesions, gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer.

Mr Ibiyemi expressed concern that the burden of oral diseases was increasing due to sugary diets, poor oral hygiene, and limited access to oral healthcare.

He advised Nigerians to brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, rinse after sugary snacks, and visit dentists yearly.

He recommended using chewing sticks properly and emphasised community outreach for screening, diagnosis, and early treatment.

Mr Ibiyemi said the current poor oral health of Nigerians could be improved through the implementation of effective oral health promotion initiatives by all stakeholders at primary, secondary, and tertiary health care levels.

“These initiatives should involve health education on the prevention and treatment of common oral health diseases,” Mr Ibiyemi said. 

(NAN)