Oral healthcare practitioners play an important role in educating individuals, school pupils, and communities about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. World Oral Health Day, observed globally on March 20, provides an opportunity to amplify this message, empowering people with the knowledge and skills to maintain good oral health and prevent oral diseases.

The message is clear: everyone should prioritise their oral health by adopting healthy habits. A good oral hygiene regimen includes:

• Flossing between teeth at least once a day
• Brushing teeth twice daily
• Having regular check-up visits with an oral healthcare practitioner

A common misconception is that ‘baby teeth do not need care, and it is okay to lose them as they get replaced by adult teeth anyway”. Contrary to this myth, baby teeth are important for speech development, proper chewing and digestion, and holding space for the adult teeth to “grow” into. It is for these reasons that baby teeth should be brushed and taken care of from an early age, to avoid mal-positioned or crowded of teeth, amongst other complications.

The mouth serves as a window to an individual’s general health. Scientific studies have established associations between poor oral health—characterised by gum disease and decayed teeth—and conditions such as diabetes, cardiac diseases, and mental health challenges. The theme for World Oral Health Day 2025, “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Mind,” highlights this vital connection.

Good oral health contributes to:

• Strong, healthy teeth, enabling proper eating and good nutrition
• A confident smile, boosting self-esteem
• A positive mood and overall mental well-being

Conversely, poor oral health may lead to pain, sepsis and loss of teeth; which negatively impacts eating, speech and self-esteem. These may lead to reduced social engagement with people, thus further harming mental well-being. Individuals with poor mental health have reduced desire for self-care, inclusive of oral hygiene, which exacerbates poor oral health.

Oral health education and promotion serve as powerful tools to motivate individuals to care for their teeth and mouths, understanding that doing so also protects their overall health. Encouraging a multidisciplinary approach that includes oral healthcare practitioners through appropriate guidelines, protocols, and policies enhances comprehensive patient care.

Regular dental check-ups are essential for re-enforcement of oral health education, early detection of oral conditions and early intervention.

Prof Shangase is the Chair of the School of Dentistry and Chief Executive Officer of University of Pretoria Oral Health Centre