Dental health specialists in Ibadan have dismissed the long-held belief that teething causes diarrhoea in infants, clarifying that such symptoms are more commonly linked to poor hygiene and environmental exposure rather than the teething process itself.
The experts, who spoke during World Oral Health Day, emphasized that babies are more likely to develop diarrhoea as they begin crawling and frequently place contaminated objects into their mouths.
According to Folake Lawal, a dental public health specialist at the University College Hospital, teething may cause mild symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, and increased mouth-rubbing. However, she cautioned that high fever or severe illness should not be attributed to teething and requires prompt medical evaluation.
She further warned against the use of harmful traditional remedies, including engine oil and battery fluid, to treat dental issues in children. Such substances, she noted, can result in serious health complications, including chemical burns and poisoning.
Lawal also highlighted the limited access to oral healthcare services in Nigeria, pointing out that the ratio of dental practitioners to the population falls significantly below global standards. She stressed that poor dietary habits—particularly high sugar consumption—are contributing to a rise in oral diseases, as well as broader health concerns such as obesity and diabetes.
In her remarks, Aderonke Dedeke, another specialist at the University College Hospital, advised parents to avoid the use of hard-bristle toothbrushes and unsafe practices such as scraping children’s teeth with sharp objects. She called for the integration of oral health services into primary healthcare and urged the full implementation of Nigeria’s national oral health policy.
Meanwhile, Olushola Ibiyemi of the University of Ibadan raised concerns over increasing cases of dental conditions, including caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer. He attributed the trend to poor oral hygiene practices and excessive sugar intake, urging Nigerians to adopt preventive care measures, including regular dental check-ups.
The experts also warned that poor oral hygiene during pregnancy can contribute to adverse outcomes such as low birth weight, while tobacco use and substance abuse significantly elevate the risk of cancers affecting the mouth, throat, and lungs.
They collectively called for intensified public health education and expanded outreach programmes, particularly in underserved communities, noting that persistent myths and unsafe practices continue to pose serious risks to children’s health and overall well-being.
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