Centre’s youths get tips, gifts for healthy teeth

 By FAYE MIKA

MORE than 200 youths from the City Mission centre outside Port Moresby have received tips on dental health.

Youths between the ages of 15 and 25 at the mission post in Mirigeda were given tooth paste, tooth brushes and told of the importance of dental hygiene.

A representative from Colgate Palmolive Dr Newman Uloulo outlined the importance of having a clean, healthy mouth because it is the gateway of food into the body.

That prevents bacteria which causes cancer and other mouth diseases.

“Having a healthy mouth means having a healthy body,” he said.

“Therefore keeping your mouth clean and free of harmful bacteria is an important part of being healthy.”

“The mouth is the first destination for nutrients to enter the body and unless it is clean, it may pose a threat to the body.”

He said the three main problems related to oral health were tooth decay, gum diseases and mouth cancer, which were preventable. 

Statistics showed that from 2012 to 2013, the percentage of oral disease cases in Angau General Hospital doubled from 25% to 50%.

Uloulo said most of the cases would have been prevented if they were detected earlier. 

He encouraged the youths to at least have checkups twice a year.

Marketing manager for city mission Elisabeth Gonol thanked Colgate Palmolive for maintaining the hygiene of their youths and hoped to work in partnership to promote healthier smiles.