Teeth Brushing Challenge-LAGOS Pupils break Record

Over 300,000 secondary school pupils in
Lagos on Thursday, broke the world record
in the teeth brushing challenge in the
Guinness Book of World Records.
The pupils gathered in multiple locations in
Lagos State - including Epe, Ikorodu,
Agbara, Ikeja and Surulere - to brush their
teeth simultaneously to beat the record set
by India. The Asian nation's youths
numbered 177,003, were the world
holders of the record.
The contest was sponsored by Unilever
Nigeria, manufacturers of Close Up tooth
paste, in collaboration with the Lagos State
Government, Nigeria Dental Association,
Heit Solutions, Vas2Net and Core Media.
Speaking before the challenge started,
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde
Fashola, said the challenge was a
representation of how people ought to
take care of their bodies, with oral care
being a priority.
"The Lagos State government supports a
comprehensive healthcare system. A simple
oral hygiene routine, such as brushing
twice daily, restricts the number of visits to
the dentist. Unfortunately, many people do
not take care of their teeth and mouth
because they consider them small among
the body parts that should be taken care
of. There is little consideration that this part
of the body is where all the food that we
eat in order to nourish the rest of our body
passes through," Fashola said.
Also, Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria,
Mr. Mabo Thabe, said that Close Up was
supporting the challenge as part of its
commitment to promoting and reiterating
a healthy oral care culture in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Teslim Balogun Stadium,
the coordinating venue for the challenge,
Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria,
David Okeme, said the world record-
reaking challenge was organised with a
view to re-emphasising the importance of
healthy oral hygiene and regular care of
the teeth and mouth by brushing twice
daily.
"This session being held in multiple
locations in Lagos State is not essentially
meant for the purpose of breaking the
Guinness Book of World Records but to
raise oral health awareness especially
among school children," Okeme added.
Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on
Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adesina,
expressed the state government's
confidence in breaking the record.
She said, "This event is to basically
encourage our school children to form the
habit of brushing twice daily at this
impressionable age. But the event is not
about winning and losing as it is more
important to pass the message of dental
care as an essential part of preventive
health.
"But we are very confident that we will
break the record as preparations for this
event started over a year ago where
teachers and pupils went through special
training sessions."
President, Nigeria Dental Association, Dr.
Olurotimi Olojede, said the body was quite
pleased with the programme as it would
go a long way in raising a younger
generation with healthier teeth.

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