The ‘bibig’ problem
The pandemic has heightened people’s need to look after their health more, as a result making them more conscious about being active, what food they eat, and what products they use on their body, just to name a few.
However, while other aspects of health are being prioritized, oral health is often overlooked or forgotten because there is also a lack of information about it. The reality is that oral health should also be prioritized as it affects our overall health.
According to the Department of Health, oral disease is recognized to be a serious public health problem in the Philippines. According to their National Monitoring and Evaluation Dental Survey in 2011, more than seven out of 10 Filipinos have never even been to a dentist.
So, this Oral Health Month it’s high time that we talk about our bibigs again and educate Filipinos on proper oral care, because brushing alone misses millions of germs in the mouth, which is the main cause of several oral health problems.
“Our Listerine Bibig Time campaign is back and bigger than ever for its third year as we aim to bring back the conversation to our bibigs," shared Listerine brand manager Fitz Domingo. "With the goal to educate Filipinos more about the state of their oral health, we also want to encourage them to upgrade their bibig routines for an overall healthier body, especially in the time of a global pandemic. Mouthwash goes beyond just giving fresh breath. It is a proven oral care essential used daily, as it gives total mouth defense that brushing can't give.”
But how important is a mouthwash? Is brushing teeth no longer enough for good oral hygiene? I asked Johnson & Johnson Oral Care Scientist for Consumer Health Dr. Ashita Bhatia.
“When it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene, there’s more you need to do than just brush your teeth,” Dr. Bhatia shared. "Our teeth make up only 25 percent of our mouth, and clinical research has shown that brushing teeth only removes 30-53 percent of plaque. Numerous studies have proven that adding a mouthwash such as Listerine to your daily oral hygiene routine can provide much greater plaque and gingivitis reduction when compared to brushing alone.”
I was informed that there has been a need for an oral care campaign, especially during this time. In the new normal, most of us take extra care of our physical and mental health. This should also apply to our oral health, as disease-causing germs and viruses can easily enter our mouths.
It is important that proper oral health should be practiced for total mouth defense. Filipinos are already aware of the value of brushing every day and it’s already part of their current oral care routine, but brushing alone is not enough. In fact, brushing alone won’t prevent oral health diseases such as plaque, gum problems and cavities. The latest research data shows that the percentage of Filipinos using mouthwash is only 10 percent and did not increase during the pandemic. “With this, we really need to reinforce the importance and value of mouthwash in the daily oral care routine of Filipinos,” Bhatia said.
How long we gargle depends on the ingredients and brand of mouthwash you use. It is best to follow the usage instructions mentioned at the back of your mouthwash bottle to achieve the best results.
Did you know that inadequate oral hygiene can cause bacteria to build up on your teeth, gums, and tongue? This causes oral health problems because bacteria produce volatile sulfur compounds that cause your breath to stink. A twice-daily routine of brushing, flossing, and rinsing the mouth thus prevents most forms of bad breath.
Oral health now
"I start my day by brushing my teeth, but since it is my job to be a host, oral care is very, very important and I’m not just talking about my teeth,” shared Sam YG “I’m talking about gums your breath, your throat — everything has to be germ-free and fresh, especially ngayon we’re living in crazy times. I need to be extra-sure when it comes to protecting my oral health because it’s part of my general health. So, like I said, I brush my teeth and I gargle with Listerine Total Care in the morning. I also do another round of it after lunch and before I go to bed."
For an entertainment personality like Sam, good hygiene is part of his job and completes his total well-being.
“Kasi minsan we only think about our bodies, we work out, we do our meditation, we keep our mental health in check, but also our oral health is part of our health and we should not take that for granted," he shared. "It’s very important not just for me and my everyday life, but for my everyday job, particularly."
Sam said that there is a way to keep his entire body healthy, and it includes gargling with Listerine Total Care mouthwash every day. In fact, even when he travels he takes Listerine with him, "kasi di na ko sanay na wala siya and it just makes me feel confident and fresh and it keeps me feeling healthy," he concluded.
