2,464 rinsed with LISTERINE® at the Largest Mouthwash Rinsing Event! (21 March)

I celebrated World Oral Health Day 2015 with LISTERINE® by joining the Largest Mouthwash Rinsing Event last Saturday, 21 March at 1Utama.

Organized by the Malaysian Dental Association together with LISTERINE®, Global Partner of World Oral Health Day, and supported by the Oral Health Division of the Ministry of Health, this campaign featured a roadshow, educational initiatives, and engagement programs/talks by dentists, including free dental checkups to further spread awareness amongst Malaysians about good oral hygiene and the importance of a holistic oral care routine including rinsing with mouthwash.

This event was targeted to create a new entry in the Malaysian Book of Records for the "Most Number of Participants in a Mouthwash Rinsing Event (12 Hours)" and managed to garner 2,464 participants in total!

Oral care is very important and essential for good overall health, especially for women. I learned this lesson the hard way when my dentist confirmed that I have some form of pregnancy gingivitis when I was 4 months pregnant.

Since then, I have been practicing complete oral care regimes - brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, rinsing with mouthwash daily, and getting regular dental checkups. Nowadays, my gums don't bleed anymore when I brush my teeth. Phewww! 

Press release

President of the Malaysian Dental Association Dr Teh Tat Beng said, "Good oral care goes beyond a nice smile and fresh breath, as research has shown a link between oral health and general health – oral health can be compromised by a number of chronic and infectious diseases which show symptoms in the mouth. On the other hand, oral diseases can lead to infection, inflammation, and other serious impacts on overall health. For example, oral conditions can complicate diabetes while diabetes itself can result in delayed wound healing and worsening of gum disease. Also, untreated gum disease has been associated with higher risk of pre-term babies and low-birthweight babies. This awareness however is lacking amongst Malaysians and hence further education is needed to ensure more people take care of their mouths as it could lead to other possible health issues." 

Survey results 

An indicative survey that was carried out in conjunction with World Oral Health Day recently amongst almost 380 Malaysians showed that only 31% of respondents surveyed were aware that diabetes has a bi-directional relationship with oral health and only 34.6% knew that untreated gum diseases could have an effect on pregnant women and unborn babies.

Furthermore, the survey also revealed that Malaysians do not practice complete oral care routines; in fact, 78.1% were not aware or unsure that brushing teeth alone is insufficient for good oral health as it only cleans 25% of the mouth. The survey concluded that only a small percentage (32.7%) of Malaysians actively practice a holistic oral care routine including rinsing with mouthwash.

Do you know that brushing teeth alone only cleans approximately 25% of your mouth? Scary huh?

This is why LISTERINE® uses a unique combination of four essential oils that is clinically proven to clean virtually 100% of the mouth, killing the germs that cause tooth decay, bad breath, and gum problems.

Learn more about Listerine mouthwash products at www.listerine.com.my or fb.com/ListerineMalaysia