Importance of oral hygiene explained to students

More than 350 students and members of staff of Sultan Ul Uloom College of Pharmacy participated in the free dental camp at the college premises. The event was held in collaboration with Brite Dental Hospital, Madhapur. The camp, aimed at creating awareness of oral hygiene, advocated the importance and relevance of oral hygiene in influencing general health.

Delivering the welcome address, Principal Dr Anupama Koneru, urged the students and staff to take oral hygiene seriously. She said that the dental camp was an opportunity for students to assess oral health and prevent dental diseases, which demands the fourth most expensive treatment.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Nikhil emphasised the importance of dental hygiene from foetal stage of a baby, to its infancy and growth and how it continues to be important throughout the life. He also explained the precautions to be taken by pregnant women with regard to dental hygiene adding that the practice of dental procedures during this period was important as it may negatively influence the health of the baby and the mother.

The negative effects due to frequent consumption of carbonated beverages due to their acidic nature was also discussed at the programme. Dr Nikhil and Dr Lalitha, both specialising in dentistry, conduced the camp and briefed the students on the importance of health diet, and the treatments available for dental problems.

General causes or oral problems result from excessive fluoridation of water for purification, prolonged consumption of chocolates and carbonated beverages, coarse tooth powder, consumption of tobacco, smoking, etc. Diagnosis, treatment and cure in time may prevent dental ailments like tooth decay, cavities, swollen gums, dental plaque, etc. from transforming into serious diseases.

To counter dental problems, and to educate the dentists about various developmental programmes on improving oral health, seminars, workshops and lectures will be organised by various dental associations and organisations across the world on March 6 on World Dentists Day.