Dentists Warn Nigerians as Dangerous Oral Habits Surge Nationwide
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) has issued a strong warning to Nigerians to avoid damaging oral practices, stressing that seemingly harmless habits are fuelling serious and preventable dental conditions across the country.
Speaking during the Association’s 58th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Abuja, NDA President, Dr Emedom Elias condemned the growing trend of using teeth to open bottles, describing the behaviour as both risky and unnecessary. “The mouth is extremely delicate. Using teeth as tools can cause cracks, gum injuries and long-term complications,” he cautioned.
Elias said many of these injuries worsen because people dismiss early symptoms, seeking professional care only when conditions become severe.
The NDA President also highlighted systemic gaps in Nigeria’s dental sector, noting that access to the right equipment, continuous training and the availability of dental professionals remain major barriers to effective service delivery. “It is not enough to open a dental clinic. The right tools must be available and the public must be informed,” he added.
Despite rising awareness, dental care remains heavily concentrated in urban areas, leaving most rural communities without any form of oral health support. Elias urged governments at all levels to integrate dental services into primary healthcare centres to close the widening access gap.
He emphasised that improved funding and community-level education are essential to curbing preventable dental diseases and reducing the burden on urban clinics.
The NDA called on Nigerians to prioritise oral hygiene, avoid harmful habits and seek prompt professional intervention to prevent long-term damage.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Chukwu Obinna 
Korede Abdullah 