Dental hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean to prevent dental problems- Key Message given in Equal Health camp at SEVAI.

Physiotherapy administered by Equal Health team

Pupils after dental hygiene orientation by Equal Health

Equal Health Australia in coordination with SEVAI a Tamilnadu based voluntary agency had organized two weeks health camp in interior villages of Trichirappalli and Nagapatinam Districts. The team headed by Paul Clarke provided health support to the public those are in health need for different consultations such as eye care, general health care, dental care, physio and occupational therapy and   Oral hygiene. The school children are given dental hygiene education and the parents and teachers attended these orientations during their leisure time during the Equal Health camp in the target villages. The experts in dental care explained the pupils, teachers and parents, “Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean to prevent dental problems, most commonly, dental cavities, gingivitis, and bad breath. There are also oral pathologic conditions in which good oral hygiene is required for healing and regeneration and of the oral tissues. Severe gum disease causes at least one-third of adult tooth loss. Tooth decay is the most common global disease. Over 80% of cavities occur inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces where brushing cannot reach food left trapped after every meal or snack, and saliva or fluoride have no access to neutralize acid and remineralise demineralised teeth, unlike easy-to-reach surfaces, where fewer cavities occur. Dental sealants which are applied by dentists, cover and protect fissures and grooves in the chewing surfaces of back teeth, preventing food from becoming trapped thus halting the decaying process. An elastomeric strip has been shown to force sealant deeper inside opposing chewing surfaces and can also force fluoride tooth paste inside chewing surfaces to aid in remineralising demineralised teeth. Generally, dentists recommend that teeth be cleaned professionally at least twice per year. Between cleanings by a dental hygienist, good oral hygiene is essential for preventing tartar build-up which causes the problems mentioned above. This is done through careful, frequent brushing with a tooth brush combined with the use of dental floss to prevent accumulation of plaque on the teeth. Daily brushing and flossing removes plaque and can prevent tartar from forming on the teeth”.-Govin