By GABRIEL OLAWALE

THIS is  the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth, this is the way we brush our teeth, early in the morning.”
Readers who are familiar with this chorus will recall how as children,  they relished the daily activity of brushing their teeth.

Brushing the teeth  in the morning  and at other times of the day is often considered fun. However,  it is not just important to brush your teeth, but the frequency and efficiency of  brushing the teeth is what counts. Experts say toothache is one of the most common dental complaints and  often the top reason many people visit a dentist. To prevent this malady, they recommend brushing of the teeth as a daily ritual. For best results, everyone should brush their teeth in the morning and at night.

Health data reveals that 90 percent of the world’s population will suffer one oral disease or the other in their lifetime, ranging from caries, periodontal diseases and tooth decay to oral cancer. Toothache is the number one reason for absenteeism from schools in many countries. Although the burden of oral diseases is decreasing in developed countries, gum complications are becoming more common, especially in older people.

As part of its commitment to improve oral hygeine in Nigeria, Unilever, in conjunction with Nigeria Dental Association and FDI World Dental Federation, commenced an oral health campaign  tagged “Brush Day & Night School Programme”, targeted at school children in Lagos.

Over the next three years, Unilever, makers of Close-Up Toothpaste is targetting 10 million Nigerian children to be taught the proper way of brushing their teeth. The activity, earmarked for this year’s World Oral Health Day  with the theme, “Celebrating Healthy Smiles”, involved pupils from five schools in Lagos State who were engaged in the oral hygiene campaign. The company’s Senior Vice President for Oral Care , Marie-Anne Aymerich noted that it is important to teach children to properly brush their teeth in an  up-down, up-down manner, so as to ensure no debris  is left in the mouth.

“We are here  to teach the pupils how to brush for two reasons. One, to ensure they inculcate the habit of brushing twice a day at a tender age so that they can grow up with it. Two, we want to bring back the habit of proper brushing of teeth  among children.” Fluoride-based toothpaste helps  strengthen tooth enamel to resist acids that can lead to cavities.

Regional Brand Director, Close-up Africa, Mr. Kosala Hewamadduma said the awareness drive is also targeted  at parents to teach their children the proper way to brush their teeth and to inculcate the habit of brushing twice a day. Participants included pupils from Central Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja, GRA Nursery and Primary School, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, among others.