A dental surgeon and scholar, Solomon Nwhator, has urged Nigerians to prioritise oral hygiene and early gum disease treatment, saying prevention remained critical for overall wellbeing and reducing chronic illnesses.

Mr Nwhator of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, spoke during a National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria webinar titled “The Systemic Burden of Gum Disease: Implications for Chronic Illness” recently.

He advised Nigerians to brush twice daily, maintain balanced diets rich in micronutrients, and visit dental specialists twice yearly, stressing that inflammatory gum diseases affected nearly half of the population nationwide.

Mr Nwhator explained that gingivitis might first appear as blood after brushing, while untreated plaque allowed bacteria-filled deposits to penetrate gums, causing swelling, periodontitis, tooth loss, and severe systemic medical complications later.

“Gum disease can lead to systemic illnesses through the dissemination of bacteria into the circulation,” Mr Nwhator said, warning that infected gums could become permeable, allowing bacteria reservoirs to spread throughout the body.

He said immune responses triggered by plaque bacteria may become destructive, causing autoimmune tissue damage, while inflammation contributes to illnesses affecting the heart, lungs, brain, reproductive, urinary, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems.

“While the primary response is intended to defend the body, it can become extremely intense,” he said, adding that gum disease might contribute to diabetes, erectile dysfunction, births, and pregnancy loss.

The president of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Anthony Ikefuna, said the webinar series supported continuing medical education. He congratulated Mr Nwhator and the Faculty of Dental Surgery for delivering a successful presentation.

(NAN)