Mr. Orebanjo, who previously served as the Medical Director of Ajeromi General Hospital in Ajegunle, Lagos State, shared his insights during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
He emphasized that maintaining oral hygiene is crucial for overall health. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes oral health as the condition of the mouth, teeth, and facial structures that enables individuals to carry out vital functions such as eating, breathing, and speaking.
There is a significant connection between oral health and general health, with inadequate oral care potentially heightening the risk of various medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and pneumonia.
Mr. Orebanjo pointed out that the mouth serves as a gateway to the body, indicating that health issues in other areas can often present symptoms in the oral cavity.
“Diabetes, for example, can be detected through oral check at an early stage that will help such a patient receive early treatment, not to talk of other impacts that the mouth itself can have on the body,” he said.
“So, when you don’t take care of the mouth, which is the gateway of the body, the rest of the body will be sick.”
He recommended that Nigerians undergo oral examinations at least semiannually to maintain optimal oral hygiene.