How important is oral health to Filipinos?

Rappler.com

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How much importance do Filipinos give their oral health?

MANILA, Philippines – Oral health is a part of overall health. However, not many Filipinos may consider it as a priority. We’re already keen on the importance of washing hands and keeping our household clean, but we tend to let things slide when it comes to the state of our oral health and proper dental practices.

Only 60% of the world’s population has access to proper oral care. In the Philippines, 7 out of 10 [of Filipinos] have never even been to a dentist and 87% suffer from tooth decay according to Vicente Medina, Dean of the UP College of Dentistry. (READ: Why oral health needs more attention in PH)

There are various reasons as to why Filipinos don’t go to their dentist regularly or invest more time and effort in proper oral hygiene. Factors such as lack of money, time and awareness all contribute to the unfortunate prevalence of tooth decay and gum problems.

Sometimes knowing what to do is not enough. You have to do it right.

By taking the initiative to regularly practice proper oral care – using an effective toothbrush, brushing properly, visiting your dentist twice a year, and learning more about oral health – tooth decay, bleeding gums and even bad breath can be avoided.

Knowing what could be contributing to the progression of oral problems is another form of defense. If you know what you’re avoiding, it can be a key factor in addressing the problem.

How important is oral health to you? Do you think that you’re doing enough to avoid oral problems? Here are facts to establish the state of Filipino oral health and what actions are being done to tackle this growing concern. – Rappler.com

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