Unilever PLC has launched an oral health campaign to curb the prevalence of cavities among Nigerian school children.
While speaking at the Oral Health Schools’ Programme in Lagos, Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. David Okeme said “In partnership with the Nigerian Dental Association, Universal Basic Education Board and the Federal Ministry of Health, Pepsodent is committed to improving the oral health of 10 million children in Nigeria by 2020 through the Brush Day & Night schools’ programme, and one million school children will be reached directly in 2015.
“We believe children can change the world by adopting healthy oral habits and they can convince their parents to do same.”
President Nigerian Dental Association,NDA, Dr. Bode Ijarogbe also added that “Normally, everyone has bacterial in the mouth and other parts of the body. But as regards formation of cavity, the bacterial in the mouth only becomes very dangerous in the presence of fermentable sugar-based diet. The sugar acts as diet for the bacteria and produces a by-product of dilute acid which eventually results in cavity formation, resulting in holes which gradually becomes larger and eventually into tooth ache.
“And if this is not quickly addressed, it results to severe pain which could lead to loss of manpower at work for adults and school absenteeism for the child. The kids are the major target in this programme because they have more cravings for sweet foods. And when these children adopt the habit of a healthy oral lifestyle, they can then spread the message to their parents.”