Fight the Furry Feeling in Oral Health Month

Fight the Furry Feeling in Oral Health Month

Today Colgate-Palmolive and the New Zealand Dental Association are launching Oral Health Month across New Zealand, and are urging Kiwis to Fight the Furry Feeling in their mouths. That sensation we all get if we neglect to brush, floss or rinse our mouths is a good indicator that teeth and gums might not be doing so well. By taking simple steps to fight the furry feeling through great oral care at least twice a day, you’ll be well on the way to a healthy mouth.

According to Horizon Research of Oral Health in New Zealand (2014), 72 per cent of New Zealanders wish they had taken better care of their teeth. Colgate Scientific Affairs Manager Dr Rebecca Schipper says doing so is not a difficult task.

“There is a simple, four-step process to Fight the Furry Feeling,” Dr Schipper says. “Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily and regular dental check-ups support a gorgeous smile. Using a mouthwash at times separate from brushing can benefit those who need a little more help. When that brush frays, change it for a cleaner feeling.”

“Kiwis of every age need to be reminded of the need to maintain good oral health. In 2015, we’re launching a number of unique initiatives to get people thinking; including the release later in July of a catchy new tune for kids of all ages called, ‘Fight the Furry Feeling’,” says John Garside General Manager of Colgate-Palmolive Ltd New Zealand.

“We recruited the kids from Silverstream Primary in Wellington to record ‘Fight the Furry Feeling’. Not only do they sing their hearts out, they also use a range of Colgate products as nifty instruments. The more people who get the message about how to have a healthy mouth, the better the results we’ll see in the long term.”

In addition to driving awareness through song, various other initiatives are also funded through the Bright Smiles Bright Futures programme. Panama Road School in Otahuhu, Auckland is one of the schools benefitting from this initiative. A sum of $850 of funding was provided for some new water taps to encourage water drinking rather than fizzy drinks at school. The children have also been inspired to create posters about oral health with MP Peseta Sam Lotu Iiga presenting awards to some lucky young artists. “Simple changes like our new taps and driving home some key points will make a big difference,” says Runnitty Peteru of Panama Road School. “If children get the right messages early on, and build the right habits, they are set for life.”

It’s not just our little ones who need to be reminded to brush, floss and rinse. Older Kiwis need to take better care of their pearly whites. “This is a far healthier generation of elderly, with most now not having had all their teeth extracted and suffering the fate of full dentures. Alongside this huge change is the need for the elderly to continue to maintain their teeth and of course avoid large dental bills by doing so. Sensible diet and twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste is the key. Additional information regarding a range of dental care aids should be sought from your dentist,” says NZDA CEO Dr David Crum.

As part of the 2015 campaign this July, volunteer NZDA dentists will be treating around 170 high-need patients, including a number of elderly patients. Approximately 26 NZDA dentists in Auckland and Wellington are donating their time and services to care for people who are suffering from a host of mouth issues including ulcers, cavities or gum disease.

“We’re also piloting a free clinic for elderly citizens at Tui House in Papakura this year with a view to rolling this out on a wider scale. Poor oral health care leads to illness, low self-esteem and the inability to eat well. It’s essential that older people maintain a high level of oral health and fight the furry feeling to stay both well and confident,” says Dr Crum.

“If Kiwis of all ages, young and old, can get in behind this year’s campaign, we’ll see New Zealanders enjoying better oral health throughout their lifetime.”

ENDS

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