By CHIDINMA EWUNONU-ALUKO

Some dental Public Health Specialists have debunked a common myth that teething causes diarrhea in infants.

They made this known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ibadan, in commemoration of World Oral Health Day (WOHD) on Friday.

NAN reports that WOHD is commemorated every March 20, with this year’s theme as “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life”.

They noted stooling in teething baby was likely due to crawling on dirty surfaces and putting objects in their mouth.

According to them, crawling on dirty surfaces and putting their hands in their mouths could lead to tummy upsets, not really because of teething as many believe.

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

Prof. Folake Lawal, Dental Public Health Specialist at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said that teething might cause slight discomfort, restlessness, and mouth rubbing.

Lawal remarked that however, significant fever or severe symptoms required medical attention.

She urged parents to seek proper medical help for their infants’ dental issues.

Lawal expressed concern that the majority of Nigerians did not have adequate access to oral health care or the professionals needed.

She said the inadequate number of dental practitioners to population ratio was far less than the WHO recommendation.

“Nigerians face periodontal diseases, that is, infections of the structures surrounding and supporting the teeth like the gum and bone.

“In addition, dental caries (hole in the tooth/teeth) is another common oral problem among Nigerians brought about by intake of sugary foods and beverages e.g. biscuits, soda, cakes, chocolates, etc.

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

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

She added that there should also be visits to the dentist every six months for routine check-up.

Lawal noted that bad oral health increased the development of oral infections which could affect one’s quality of life.

She said ingestion of tobacco and other substance abuse could lead to developing 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.

Dr Aderonke Dedeke, Dental Public Health Specialist at UCH, Ibadan, urged parents and individuals to make oral health a priority.

Dedeke stressed that using hard bristled tooth brushes could damage the gum and should be discouraged.

She warned that using blades to try to scrape off calculus (dirt) on the surfaces of the teeth should be avoided.

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

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

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

“If there’s a dental facility in every PHC, it brings the much-needed service closer to members of the community.

“Moreso, implementation of the National Oral Health Policy is long overdue.

“There’s need to strengthen the Primary Oral Health Care (POHC) system; outreaches play important role in bringing oral health services and education to the doorsteps of undeserved communities.

“They need a lot of resources including both human and financial.

“As one of the CSR of the community dentistry unit of the department of Periodontology and Community Dentistry (UI/UCH), outreaches are frequently held in and around Ibadan,” she said.

Similarly, Prof. Olushola Ibiyemi, Professor of Community Dentistry University of Ibadan, highlighted Nigeria’s poor oral health state, citing increasing dental caries, tooth wear lesions, gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer cases.

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

He stressed that a diseased tooth could be restored while extraction was not the only treatment.

The Professor of Community Dentistry advised Nigerians to brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, rinse after sugary snacks, and visit dentists yearly.

He recommended chewing sticks with proper technique and emphasised community outreach for screening, diagnosis, and early treatment.

“Oral health impacts overall health – toothache affects eating, sleeping, and socialising; plaque can spread to vital organs, causing further problems.

“Individuals and groups should collaborate with oral healthcare providers in undertaking dental outreach programmes in their local communities.

“This will go a long way in promoting oral health of inhabitants of their communities,” he said.

He said the current state of poor oral health of Nigerians could be improved through the application of proper 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.

“It should also involve provision of basic oral health care at primary health care level, development of oral health policies and provision of enabling environment that is promotive of oral health,” Ibiyemi said. (NAN)

Update news