Oral Health Watch
@oralhealthwatch
Oral health advocacy.
Access to preventive care & timely treatment helps stop small problems from becoming painful, costly emergencies. Yet more than 1 in 3 Washington adults report going without dental care because of cost. Everyone deserves the opportunity to get the care they need - when they need it. #teethmatter
When parents have access to preventive oral health care, they’re better equipped to model healthy habits their kids can carry for life like brushing 2X a day, choosing water & regular dental visits. This #NationalParentsDay, let’s celebrate parents & their role in promoting good health. #teethmatter
Sugary drinks belong in the trash; not on your teeth. Reach for fluoridated tap water to stay hydrated and help protect your smile from cavities. Jimothy would approve...probably. 🦝☀️🚰 #jimothy
It’s hot out there, Washington! Keep cool and hydrated with water, and choose fluoridated water for added protection against cavities. Your body and your smile will thank you! ☀️💧#teethmatter
Oral health care access is both a health and a socioeconomic matter. Tooth loss, severe decay, or bad breath caused by oral disease can lead to subconscious snap judgments and impact employment opportunities, particularly during initial interviews or in customer-facing roles. #teethmatter
The temperature is climbing up again in the PNW! Please remember that nothing hydrates and quenches thirst like a glass of cool, refreshing water. And if it's fluoridated? Even better for the added benefit of protecting teeth against cavity-causing germs! #teethmatter
Oral health care access is essential workforce support - especially for lower income adults. Access to water fluoridation and dental care prevent oral pain, infection, and disease to help people stay healthy, employed, and able to pursue economic opportunity. #teethmatter
Dental-related ER visits cost the US more than $2B a year, even though hospitals are not designed to address the underlying causes of oral disease. Investing in prevention & early treatment helps reduce needless suffering, avoid costly ER visits & support better overall health. #teethmatter
Investing in prevention gives kids a chance to grow health and cavity-free. Access to preventive oral health care, including dental visits, water fluoridation, sealants, fluoride varnishes, helps stop cavities before it starts. Prevention works! #teethmatter
Looking for ways to ditch sweetened beverages and drink more water? Try adding fresh fruit, herbs and/or ice to add sugar-free flavor and refreshment. And if your water is fluoridated to protect teeth from cavities? Even better! #teethmatter
It's time for health federal health policy to recognize that oral health IS health & health coverage MUST include dental coverage. Investing in programs that expand oral health care access is a wise health policy that helps prevent needless suffering & costly medical complications. #eethmatter
Pain, tooth loss, or untreated oral disease can make it harder to eat, speak, smile, work, learn & connect w/others. That’s why access to dental care matters. Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the confidence, comfort & overall well-being that comes with good oral health. #teethmatter
Surveys show nearly one-third of kids brush their teeth less than twice a day. That’s why community water fluoridation matters. It provides an added layer of cavity protection even when kids don’t always follow their dentist’s advice. Because every kid deserves a healthy smile. #teethmatter
Keep cool, stay hydrated, and reach for water throughout the day. And when it’s fluoridated? Even better because community water fluoridation helps protect teeth from cavities while keeping you refreshed. Drink water. Protect your smile. 💧🦷 #teethmatter
Oral health is essential to overall health, well-being and quality of life. Access to preventive care, daily habits & community health measures like water fluoridation all help people avoid needless pain, missed school or work, and costly treatment. #OralHealthMonth #teethmatter
Drinking water is a simple way to support overall health, energy & oral health. And when that water is fluoridated? Even better because fluoridated water helps protect teeth from cavities, making it one of the easiest ways to support healthy smiles for people of all ages. #teethmatter
As summer schedules shift from fixed wake-up times and school hours, don't forget to include a good oral health routine. This includes regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and hydrating with water (fluoridated is best) instead of sugary drinks. #teethmatter
Nearly half of working parents report missing work because of their children’s oral health issues. When kids have access to preventive care, we can help reduce needless pain, avoid costly treatment and keep families from having to choose between a paycheck and their child’s health. #teethmatter
Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. That includes access to preventive dental care and proven community health measures like water fluoridation. Protecting oral health early helps kids stay healthy, learn, and grow. #teethmatter
As temperatures climb, don’t forget to hydrate. Tap water is a refreshing, easy way to quench thirst and support overall health. And if it’s fluoridated? Even better because it helps protect teeth from cavities, too! #teethmatter
As cost of living & affordability remain top concerns for households, investments like fluoridation are especially needed. Water fluoridation prevents cavities by 25%, helping reduce pain, costly dental treatments & protecting oral health for everyone regardless of age & income level. #teethmatter
Hospital emergency care can address immediate pain & infection, but it is not designed to address the underlying causes of oral disease. That's why access to preventive dental care matters, helping reduce needless pain, avoid costly emergency visits & save families & communities money. #teethmatter
Many common prescription medications can cause dry mouth, increasing the risk of cavities, oral disease & other mouth issues. That's why integrating oral health into medical care is so important so patients can communicate w/ medical, dental & medication experts to protect teeth & gums. #teethmatter
Good oral health starts early. The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) Program makes preventive care more accessible, more equitable, and more effective for children across Washington so more of the state's youngest kids get a healthier start. #teethmatter
1 in 3 (29%) lower income adults report the condition of their mouth & teeth negatively affect their job prospects. Proven strategies like water fluoridation & expanding access to care can make it so every adult has an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of good oral health. #teethmatter
Racism, sexism, discrimination, language spoken at home & where a person lives & works can influence health as much as behavior & insurance status. Addressing social determinants of health is essential to improving outcomes, advancing health equity & reducing oral health disparities. #teethmatter
Getting kids to consistently brush and floss is a top parental struggle. Community water fluoridation acts as crucial safety net, helping prevent cavities and improving overall oral health. #teethmatter
LGBTQ+ adults have a 77% higher likelihood of using ERs for dental crises due to discrimination. Inclusivity drives outcomes. Allyship requires supporting diverse gender identities & pronouns, understanding diverse terminology & cultivating safe spaces free from judgment. #PrideMonth #teethmatter
It's important to remember to stay hydrated as temperatures climb and summer approaches. Choosing water (fluoridated provides added protection against cavities) over soda and other sweetened drinks is a simple way to support overall health, oral health, and energy throughout the day. #teethmatter
As we kick off National Oral Health Month this June, it is important to acknowledge that systemic care gaps persist. Oral health is a vital component of overall health. Yet tens of thousands in Washington state face barriers to accessing dental services.