Children are not getting dental check-ups early enough, according to recent global survey
Singapore – This World Oral Health Day, Philips Sonicare gets Singaporeans to take smart oral health actions by starting care for oral health from an early age for long term health and wellness.
According to a recent survey released by FDI World Dental Federation, only 13% of parents with children aged 18 and under took their child to the dentist before their first birthday – the recommended age for a first dental visit. Most parents first took their child to the dentist when they were between one and three years old (24%) or between four and six years old (22%), while 20% of parents reported never having taken their child for a dental check-up1.
It is crucial that parents encourage their children to adopt good oral hygiene habits and have regular dental check-ups to contribute to a lifetime of well-being.
Dr. Yue Weng Chu
Clinical Director of DP Dental and The Linguadontics Clinic
Developing an understanding of how to look after your mouth, teeth and gums from a young age is important. However, a third of parents globally find it difficult to get their children to clean their teeth regularly2. With 60% to 90% of schoolchildren and almost all adults suffering from tooth decay worldwide3, it is more important than ever to instill good brushing routines early on and understand how lifestyle choices can have a detrimental impact. “It is crucial that parents encourage their children to adopt good oral hygiene habits and have regular dental check-ups to contribute to a lifetime of well-being. For a start, parents should bring their child to a dentist when their child’s first tooth appears, and supervise their child for brushing sessions twice a day with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste in the prevention of tooth decay,” said Dr. Yue Weng Cheu, Clinical Director of DP Dental and The Linguadontics Clinic. “It is also important to understand that some habits, such as breathing through the mouth, can lead to more tooth decay as it dries up the saliva in the mouth and causes tooth demineralization. The position of your tongue is also crucial to overall health and well-being. A low tongue position can contribute to snoring and obstructive sleep apnea and lead to health issues such as cardiovascular diseases. Always keep a tongue up position to support an open airway and better breathing,” added Dr. Yue. Philips’ year-long oral health campaign in partnership with FDI World Dental Federation - “Say Ahh: Think Mouth, Think Health” - aims to make the connection that a healthy mouth and a healthy body go hand in hand. The campaign also highlights the fact that many general health conditions increase the risk of oral diseases and problems in the mouth can negatively impact the rest of the body. Early detection and treatment are the best form of preventive care.
Today, innovation and technology are making it easier and more convenient for consumers to adopt a healthier oral healthcare routine from an early age. Philips’ suite of Sonicare technology products provides a fully-encompassed oral healthcare solution with its latest innovations such as the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Sonic electric toothbrush with app (HX9924/46) for whiter teeth in 2 weeks.
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Sonic electric toothbrush aims to improve brushing technique and achieve better results in-between visits to customer’s dental practitioner
The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Sonic electric toothbrush (HX9924/46) is a revolutionary new connected toothbrush and total oral care solution bringing together the ultimate in Philips Sonicare performance, smart sensor technology and an intuitive brushing experience to help users achieve their oral health goals4. Connected to the Philips Sonicare app, smart sensors in the toothbrush help users improve their brushing technique and achieve better results in-between visits to their dental practitioner.
1 FDI World Dental Federation, 2018 2 *Source: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 11,474 adults in UK, US, Germany, France, Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, Poland. Fieldwork was undertaken between 14th-29th December 2017. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been given an even weighting for each country to produce an ‘average’ value. 3 FDI World Dental Federation, 2018 4 Philips data on file 2017, Design & Intended Function
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2016 sales of EUR 17.4 billion and employs approximately 70,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.
Celebrated annually on 20 March, World Oral Health Day (WOHD) was launched by FDI World Dental Federation to raise global awareness on the prevention and control of oral disease. The 2018 World Oral Health Day campaign ‘Say Ahh: Think Mouth, Think Health’ encourages people to make the connection between their oral health and general health and well-being. www.worldoralhealthday.org; #WOHD18 #SayAhh
FDI World Dental Federation serves as the principal representative body for over 1 million dentists worldwide. Its membership includes some 200 national member associations and specialist groups in over 130 countries. FDI’s vision: ‘leading the world to optimal oral health’. www.fdiworldental.org; www.facebook.com/FDIWorldDentalFederation; twitter.com/worldentalfe
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 11,552 adults, of which 4,056 were parents with children aged 18 and under. Fieldwork was undertaken between 30 January - 8 February 2018. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and our nationally representative of all adults aged 18+. The breakdown of those that were parents with children aged 18 and under were as follows: UK (468), Australia (311), Egypt (463), Philippines (506), France (357), USA (295), Morocco (386), Sweden (272), China (529), and Argentina (469).
Senior Manager
Brand and Communications
Philips ASEAN Pacific
OPRG Singapore Tel: 6424 6383