CEBU CITY – Do you know that sodium chloride or salt can be a substitute for toothpaste in brushing teeth as it contains fluoride, an essential cleansing agent.
Dr. Rodivick Docor, past president of the Philippine Dental Association-Cebu Chapter, said using salt is fine and just like toothpaste, it contains the main element that cleanses the teeth which is found in toothpaste.
Fluoride is said to play a significant role in the prevention of cavities as well as the promotion of healthy tooth development.
Docor said whether one uses salt or toothpaste in brushing the teeth, it should not be done in a vigorous manner because this also destroys the enamel of the teeth. Enamel is the hardest mineralized surface of the teeth.
He said salt can also be used to clean the gums through warm saline – a mixture of water and salt – rinsing.
“Just add one-fourth teaspoon of salt to one glass of lukewarm water then now you have your warm saline rinse,” Docor said.
Although Docor is not pushing for the use of salt as a substitute for expensive toothpaste, he said toothpaste has other advantages and makes the breath smells good, but salt is better than not practicing good oral hygiene.
Dr. Philip Yray, of the Department of Health (DOH), said based from a past National Monitoring and Epidemiological Dental Survey, 92.4% of Filipinos have tooth decay and 78% have gum or periodontal diseases.
“Though the last survey was done over 10 years ago, it seems that the incidence of dental and periodontal diseases still remain high today,” Yray said.
To decrease the high incidence of dental diseases among Filipinos, the DOH is linking with the Department of Education and local governments to promote regular brushing of teeth and healthy diet among schoolchildren.
Other stakeholders in promoting oral health in partnership with the DOH are the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government and non-governmental organizations such as the PDA, academe and other civic groups.
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