Dentists from the Cambodian Dental Association (CDA) call on the general public to take good care of their oral health, saying that healthy teeth are vital to the people’s general well-being.
The call came as they delivered a recent presentation on the importance of oral health to over 1,700 primary students from Krabei Reil and Hun Sen primary schools, in Siem Reap province’s Chi Kraeng district, according to an announcement by the provincial information department.
Suorn Monika, a senior member and former president of the CDA, said the last week event was held to celebrate World Oral Health Day. This year’s theme, “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body”, aims to raise awareness of the importance of good oral health.
She said the day serves as a wake-up call to parents, guardians, students and the general public, with such a presentation made to increase their understanding of the connection between oral and general health.
“Oral health is a vital part of the general health of everybody. When our mouths are healthy, our bodies are healthy. Good health helps increase the strength of our families’ economies. On the contrary, poor health costs us time and money,” she added.
Monika advised that people brush their teeth at least twice a day and wait a few minutes each time before gargling. She also suggested that parents take their children to see a dentist at least once a year, even if they are not feeling any pain.
She urged parents to teach their children about the importance of good healthcare and hygiene from an early age, adding that it would help them avoid illnesses in the future.
“When our teeth are healthy, we chew food more easily, we communicate with people more closely and we save money,” she said.
Nuth Sambath, president of the Institute of Medicine, Biology and Agriculture at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, agreed about the importance of oral health, especially in children.
“Children are prone to damaging their teeth, so good oral health is important. A healthy smile is important,” he said, suggesting that parents should monitor them closely.
