Toothless elderly joins brushing teeth drill

Rosalita Teñete —MEG ADONIS

MANILA, Philippines — Losing all her teeth with age did not hinder 72-year-old Rosalita Teñete from joining the country’s first “Sabayang Pagsisipilyo,” in celebration of National Toothbrushing Day on Monday.

“It doesn’t matter if I don’t have any teeth. I’m not ashamed. I want to ‘brush’ them because I don’t want to have bad breath,” the widow said in jest while holding up her free toothbrush and toothpaste from the Philippine Dental Association (PDA).

According to PDA president Stephen Almonte, the annual celebration, observed every first Monday of February, aims to create awareness of dental hygiene and oral health, especially among children.

For Teñete, who had to pause to remember her age and did not have dentures to “complete” her bright smiling face, it was important to continuously practice good oral hygiene for one to live a “productive life.”

No rinsing

The mother of two was just among the hundreds of senior citizens, public school children, teachers and health workers who lined up early to practice what is commonly deemed unconventional in the country: brushing one’s teeth without rinsing.

“Unlike our practices in the old days, we no longer have to rinse after brushing our teeth because that wastes the toothpaste’s fluoride, which helps in keeping our teeth healthy,” said Mariusse Chars Esquillo, former president of the PDA’s Manila chapter.

At 9:30 a.m., participants in this year’s event at the Bonifacio and the Katipunan Monument in Manila practiced the recommended two-minute routine of brushing one’s teeth in circular motion, allocating 10 to 15 seconds per section of the mouth.

Almonte also encouraged parents to set a good example for their children by brushing their teeth twice a day.

Caries index

This way, he said, they would be able to lower the caries index prevalence in the country.

Caries refers to tooth decay, or dental cavities caused by improper oral hygiene.

Teñete was happy to be one of the older participants who partook in an exercise mainly for children.

“I just happened to pass by here and I am lucky that I was given free toothbrushes and toothpaste,” she said. “Since I only earn around P10 a day, this is a big help for me.”