Philips encourages Singaporeans to Build Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits

Children are not getting dental check-ups early enough, according to recent global survey

Parents play a crucial role in cultivating their children’s oral hygiene habits

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.

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.

Innovations That Empower Consumers to Adopt Good Oral Health Habits 

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.

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

About World Oral Health Day

About FDI World Dental Federation

About the Survey