Embrace benefits of straighter, healthy teeth and confident smiles – Prof. Ajayi

In commemorating the 2025 World Orthodontic Health Day, the pioneer Nigerian Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO), Prof Emmanuel Olubusayo Ajayi, has advocated for the public to embrace the benefits of straighter, healthy teeth and confident smiles by learning about the life-changing benefits of orthodontic care, and also uptake orthodontic treatment that are being provided by the Consultant Orthodontists in the various Dental facilities throughout Nigeria.

Prof Ajayi, a leading Nigerian Consultant orthodontist and Professor of Orthodontics at the University of Benin, Benin City, stated that research has shown that the mouth is the most assertive facial feature and the dental appearance is a determining factor in the overall facial aesthetics of an individual.

“Research continues to show that well-aligned teeth are linked to enhanced oral function, improved self-esteem, and a lower risk of developing certain dental or jaw-related problems.” He said further.

This year’s World Orthodontic Health Day (WOHD) theme, “A World of Smiles” emphasizes how orthodontic treatment can transform not just oral health but also self-esteem and overall health and well-being of individuals.

“The World Orthodontic Health Day provides the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about how orthodontics, a sub-specialty of Dentistry does more than just the straightening of teeth with fixed appliances which includes braces, removable appliances and aligners but also to emphasize the utmost benefits the patients gained from their beautiful and confident smiles,” says Prof Ajayi.

Orthodontic problems are of public health importance and do constitute a great concern as the inability to chew one’s food without difficulties, communicate orally and pronounce words correctly, breathe normally and smile without pleasing facial appearance will definitely impart productive social interactions and quality of life of individuals. It is therefore obvious that one cannot be truly healthy without good oral health and smiles.  

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Prof Ajayi emphasized that irregularly arranged teeth, crooked teeth, crowded, misplaced, unerupted or blocked-out teeth, spacing of teeth, protruding teeth, upper or lower jaws that are too far forward or back, upper and lower teeth that do not meet in front or back with gap in-between them or teeth which are abnormally related and oral habits amongst other myriads of occlusal anomalies can be treated by a Specialist and Consultant Orthodontist who are primarily Dental Surgeons but who had undergone at least 3 – 6 years of Post-graduate Master programme and or Residency training at the University Teaching Hospital.

Prof Ajayi further emphasized that a well aligned teeth and beautiful smile will enhance oral function, boost confidence, transform lives, support a positive self-image and contribute to a better quality of life for all Nigerians.

Prof Emmanuel Ajayi is also the Chairman of Professor Emmanuel Olubusayo Ajayi Orthodontics Advancement Foundation and he is committed to improving the lives of children, teenagers, and adults through state-of-the-art orthodontic treatment.

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