By Nnamdi Ojiego

Experts in the health sector have sounded the alarm on the dangers of poor oral hygiene, emphasizing its links to serious medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and even dementia.

The professionals who gathered at an event organised by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, LASODA, in partnership with Smile Doctors Foundation, in Ikeja on Monday, raised awareness about the significant risks associated with neglecting oral care.

They also highlighted the importance of oral hygiene for people with disabilities, who are often more vulnerable to neglecting their dental health.

Themed, “Oral Health: A Key to Cardiovascular Health”, the programme was aimed to address the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, particularly children with special needs, who often struggle to maintain proper oral hygiene due to physical limitations.

Dr. Funmi Adeniyi, a dentist and founder of Smile Doctors Foundation, spoke about the vital connection between oral health and cardiovascular well-being and emphasized that cavities, and gum diseases, among others if left untreated, can lead to heart complications, impacting not just the mouth but the entire body.

According to her, the connection between oral health and systemic conditions is well-documented, with research showing that poor oral hygiene leads to inflammation that can affect vital organs throughout the body warning that the risk is even higher for those with existing health conditions.

Adeniyi said: “We’re looking at the oral-systemic connection, that is, the connection between your mouth and your entire body and how your mouth influences your general health. We’re also talking about protecting the heart through oral care because research has shown that when you have dental diseases by neglecting personal oral hygiene, it begins to affect your heart.

“We found people have rheumatoid arthritis, alzheimer, and dementia. There are higher cases in people with poor oral hygiene. When there’s inflammation in the mouth, it cascades to every other organ of the body and there’s a higher risk of heart attack for people that have high blood pressure and several cardiovascular conditions. Also in cases of people that have diabetes, you notice that there are a lot of oral manifestations or loose in conditions.

“So we want to limit all of that. We want to educate the public on the connection between how they care for their mouth and how their bodies can experience health. We’re enlightening the public on that. And then we’re going to be offering free dental examination and treatment to over 100 people living with disabilities and children with special needs. We’re going to be offering them free dental products, toothbrushes and toothpaste just to ensure that they practice what we are teaching them here.”

Also speaking, General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, highlighted how something as simple as regular tooth brushing could prevent serious health issues and described the event as a critical opportunity to provide essential dental care and education to those who need it most.

“Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being yet often overlooked. Today’s initiative seeks to change that narrative by creating awareness, providing solutions, and offering essential support to everyone”, Oyetunde-Lawal noted.

According to her,”Oral health is not just about having a bright smile, it is fundamental to health and quality of life. Poor oral hygiene can lead to serious medical complications that, in many cases, are entirely preventable.

“It is essential to recognize that something as simple as brushing one’s teeth regularly can make the difference between good health and severe medical conditions.

“We have special children, many of them do not have the capacity to, as simple as, brush by themselves, and do not have muscular strength of their own and many of them have to be subjected to both occupational and physical therapy to enhance strength in their mouth. Sadly, many of them suffer and live with bad oral hygiene.

“So the purpose of today’s event is to highlight how important all of this is and also to listen to parents and have the professionals and experts give thoughts and advice on how to ensure that these parents and children improve their oral health, as we work together towards ensuring that their cardiovascular well-being is improved.

“That is why today’s event is more than just a conversation – it is a call to action. We are here not only to educate but also to provide free dental care services, practical guidance, and tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of persons with disabilities.

“At LASODA, our commitment to the well-being of persons with disabilities remains unwavering. We want every participant here today to leave with a clear understanding of how to maintain good oral hygiene. This event has been carefully designed to equip you with the right knowledge, tools, and resources to enhance your oral care practices and, by extension, improve your overall health.”

The event provided free dental assessments and treatments, including scaling and polishing, to over 100 individuals, with plans to make this initiative a recurring effort.