Take care of oral health, says Heng

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CALLING on the public to have their teeth checked regularly, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Heng Seai Kie said people from all walks of life experience unnecessary discomfort, distress and even depression because of oral health problems that affected their teeth, gums and mouth.

“However, these problems can be improved with professional care,” she told shoppers who attended the Oral Health Awareness Campaign held at the Ipoh Parade Shopping Centre in Ipoh recently.

Heng, who encouraged the shoppers to take advantage of the free dental health checks provided during the two-day campaign, said two of the most common oral diseases were dental caries and chronic inflammatory periodontal disease.

“To control these two oral diseases, people must have their teeth checked at least once a year to find out if they are susceptible to the diseases and what causes them.

Up close: Heng (right) visiting the denal awareness exhibition, accompanied by Malaysian Dental Association president Dr Mohd Muzafar Hamiruddin.

“There are non-invasive tests to identify the risk factors as well as solutions to control those risks,” she said, adding that the destructive process of tooth decay could also be reversed if detected early enough.

Heng noted that the most common childhood oral disease was tooth decay while the most common adult oral ailment was periodontal disease.

“Both diseases can increase the risk of future tooth problems and lead to premature births, heart disease, diabetes and other diseases,” she said.

Periodontal disease affects the gums or structures surrounding and supporting the teeth.

The campaign was jointly organised by the Perak Health Department, Malaysian Dental Association and Yee Lee Corp Bhd.