World Oral Health Day: A Happy Mouth is... A Happy Mind!

• Written by Mudit Handa

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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Oral health is a primary global concern, and proper dental care is essential to address it. The World Health Organisation claims that an estimated 3.5 billion people, or nearly half the world's population, suffer from oral diseases. 

World Oral Health Day is a global awareness campaign promoted by the FDI World Dental Federation, which is celebrated every March 20th to highlight the importance of oral health and promote good oral hygiene practices.

Let us learn more about this health awareness drive.

What is the Theme for World Oral Health Day 2025?

The theme for World Oral Health Day 2025 is “A Happy Mouth is... A Happy Mind.” The FDI World Dental Federation launched a three-year campaign focused on “A Happy Mouth Is…” to highlight the crucial importance of oral health and its link to overall health. In 2024, the campaign's theme was “A Happy Mouth is... A Happy Body.” This year, the campaign aims to highlight the importance of oral health for a healthy mind. The goal is encouraging people to take pride in their bright smiles, enhancing their confidence and self-esteem.

What is the Importance of Oral Health?

Oral health is essential for overall health and well-being. Poor oral health can lead to several health problems, including:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes

How Does Oral Health Support for Healthy Mind?

Oral health plays a significant role in mental well-being. A healthy mouth supports a healthy mind in many ways, such as those discussed below:

• A bright smile can boost a person's self-esteem and confidence.
• Good oral health boosts overall well-being, while poor oral health can result in social anxiety and low confidence.
• Poor oral health can lead to a decline in cognitive function. Good oral health means fewer harmful bacteria, which can support better brain health. A happy mouth is linked to cognitive well-being.
• Additionally, research indicates that individuals with healthy gums are 70% less likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer's disease compared to those with a history of gum disease or other dental issues over an extended period.

Understanding the connection between oral health and mental well-being is crucial. Your mouth, body, and mind are interconnected. With better oral health, you are actually caring for your whole self. This is the guiding principle of World Oral Health Day 2025.

How to Improve Your Oral Health?

There are several things you can do to improve your oral health, including:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a vitamin fluoride toothpaste. 
• Floss your teeth once a day.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Include nuts and pulpy fruits in your diet to promote dental health.
• Chew sugar-free gum after meals to increase saliva flow and reduce plaque acid. Sugar-free gum can help strengthen teeth and reduce cavities, especially when brushing after every meal is not feasible.
• Avoid sugary drinks like tea, coffee, soft drinks etc.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Avoid all forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, khaini, gutkha, zarda, and pan-masala.
• Visit your dentist regularly.

These are some simple steps to maintain oral hygiene.

How can Poor Oral Health Affect Personal Growth? 

Oral diseases can cause pain, discomfort, infections, and eating and sleeping disorders.

• Poor oral health can negatively impact physical and mental health. 
• Dental issues may also lead to missed work or school. 
• These can affect your job and academic performance. 

Fortunately, most oral diseases are preventable, meaning pain and infections can often be avoided. 

What are the Social Challenges to Attaining Global Oral Health?

Significant inequalities in oral health exist within and between countries. Although oral diseases are largely preventable, the global burden remains unacceptably high.

The poor and disadvantaged in society suffer a disproportionately high level of disease. Effective population-wide disease prevention remains to be implemented, and affordable, appropriate care is inaccessible to all. 

Remember, oral health is a right, not a privilege. Hence, it should be accessible to all.

How Can I Participate in World Oral Health Day?

There are many activities that you can participate in to celebrate World Oral Health Day, including:

• Visit your dentist for a complimentary oral health screening.
• Attend a World Oral Health Day event in your community.
• Share information about oral health on social media with hashtags like #WOHD25 and #HappyMouth.
• Talk to your children about the importance of oral health.

Let's work together to create a world where everyone has access to good oral health care and enjoys a healthy smile.

In addition to maintaining dental hygiene, it's important to plan your health budget carefully to avoid a sudden financial burden in case of a health emergency.

Get Comprehensive Health Insurance to Support your Medical Expenses

A medical emergency can severely impact your hard-earned savings and overall well-being. Hence, you should have a Comprehensive Health Insurance plan to cover all the medical expenses in case of a medical emergency. While choosing a health insurance plan, you must ensure that the plan covers annual health check-ups, including routine dental check-ups. This can help you maintain your oral health and overall well-being in your budget.

>> Also Read: Ways to Maintain Oral Hygiene

Disclaimer: It is essential to verify the policy details and coverage with the official policy documents. Also, kindly consult a professional medical expert to verify the details of health concerns.