Oral health directly impacts overall health

The West Rand Oral Health (WROH) team works hard every day on a health issue that many people may pay little attention to.

Keeping your mouth, teeth and the other parts of the oral cavity clean won’t just help you combat bad breath but could improve your health and stave off certain infections.

Laa’iqah Tilly, an Oral Hygienist with the Gauteng Department of Health and WROH feels that it’s necessary to inform the general public about the importance of proper oral hygiene practices.

“Studies have proven that oral health directly impacts one’s overall health. Many people do not fully understand the importance of oral health. More than teeth cleaning (referred to as scaling and polishing) alone, we focus on a variety of treatments and preventive measures at our clinics and, since it is Oral Health Month, we are trying to raise awareness about oral health.

“At our dental clinics, we have a team of dentists, oral hygienists, dental therapists and dental assistants who work together to service the community by providing oral health awareness and treatment, and preventing oral health conditions and complications by performing clinical procedures as well as reaching out to schools, mother and child clinics, frail care facilities and more to educate and assist those who are in need of dental treatment.

“When dental concerns and issues are ignored they worsen, resulting in complications including pain caused by gum diseases or loss of teeth. By visiting your oral health clinic every six months, brushing your teeth twice daily, replacing your toothbrush every four months, flossing daily, using a mouthwash and following a healthy diet could all help to prevent oral diseases.”

The team has various clinics at all major hospitals across the West Rand, and staff are available from Mondays to Fridays, and at certain clinics on Saturdays too.

“If patients need to contact us or require more information, they can visit us at any time at the respective clinics according to which area they are based in,” she lastly noted.

Clinics are at Leratong Hospital, Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital, Azaadville Clinic, Munsieville Clinic, Muldersdrift Plot 78, Itumeleng Clinic, Fanyana Nhlapho, Krugersdorp Prison, Bekkersdal Clinic, Simunye Clinic, ML Pessen Clinic, Randgate Clinic, Carletonville Hospital, Khutsong Clinic, Wedela Clinic and Greenspark Clinic.