By Chioma Obinna

To increase awareness on oral health care in Nigeria, members of the dental community, employees of Unilever Nigeria Plc, dental students, dental practitioners and dental therapists took to major streets of Lagos to sensitise Nigerians on the need to brush their teeth twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste.

The 10-kilometre Walk against cavity, organised by Pepsodent in collaboration with the Nigerian Dental Association, NDA, in line with the theme of the 2016 Oral Health Day – “Brush Day and Night… Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body” was also to drive positive habit change as well as put Nigerians on the alert as it concerns cavity.

The walk kicked-off from Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, through Ojuelegba to Jibowu and back to LUTH. Educational materials, Pepsodent toothpaste and toothbrushes were handed over to commuters and residents within the neighbourhood of Surulere and Mushin local government areas of the city.

Addressing journalists during the walk, Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nigeria PLC, Bunmi Adeniba said that the oral health awareness walk was part of the Campaign of Unilever Nigeria to get people to brush day and night.

“The health awareness walk is to inform Nigerians that prevention is better than cure and as such we should take our oral health seriously. The brush day and night campaign is part of Unilever’s vision to improve lives of Nigerians and by 2020 we have a commitment to have impacted the life of 10 million children across the country.

Also speaking, the President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Olabode Ijarogbe said Nigerians should see their oral health as closely integrated with their general health system as the mouth is the gate way to the body and several oral diseases are related to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The walk is about trying to emphasise the significance of taking good care of your mouth as the mouth is an integral part of the body. For the body to be healthy the mouth has to be healthy.

Commenting on Pepsodent, Brand Manager Pepsodent, George Umoh said “We are driving positive habit change and promoting the culture of brushing twice daily – day and night- which is a global best practice to healthy living.

“Pepsodent Triple Protection is one big breakthrough formulation that guarantees protection against cavities, stains and bad breath and these are the most prevalent oral care needs in many homes.’’