In celebration of World Oral Health Day, Mars Taiwan has launched a public welfare campaign with the Carrefour Foundation and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University experts to raise awareness about oral health.
Mars Taiwan and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University's team, which is dedicated to research on chewing and swallowing, have partnered to use XR technology to demonstrate how chewing exercises benefit both oral muscles and the brain.
Oral health and overall well-being
This year’s World Oral Health Day theme, "A Happy Mouth is a Happy Mind," highlights the connection between oral health and overall well-being.
Professor Hsu Ming-lun (許明倫) from the university’s Department of Dentistry explained that maintaining good oral health is crucial for slowing aging and preventing cognitive decline. Chewing stimulates brain blood flow, improving memory and focus. Research shows that stronger chewing abilities help delay dementia, while poor chewing function can accelerate cognitive decline, he said.
He emphasized the importance of regular chewing with the message, “Happy Chewing, Healthy Aging!” Studies have shown that chewing can support brain health in three key ways: maintaining mental agility, delaying the risk of dementia, and reducing stress while improving concentration. These simple daily habits can play a role in promoting overall well-being as people age.
"Maintaining oral health is essential to mitigating the impact of an aging population," said Hsu. “People should begin taking care of their oral health in their 30s, and certainly no later than their 50s.”
Carrefour Foundation CEO Marilyn Su (蘇小真) said the foundation is thrilled to continue its partnership with Mars Taiwan to raise awareness about oral health while supporting the Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation.
Mars Taiwan General Manager Jelina Wan (萬金玲) emphasized the importance of preventative oral care. "Oral health is crucial in maintaining and improving the quality of life. Prevention is key—starting early significantly reduces future risks. Through our World Oral Health Day campaign, we hope to encourage everyone to learn about ways to protect their oral health. When your mouth is healthy, your whole body benefits," Wan said.
Four simple habits
To support this initiative, Professor Hsu Ming-lun and his team advocate the “Four Rules for Healthy Aging”: schedule regular dental check-ups, clean your teeth after meals, chew sugar-free gum, and practice oral exercises regularly. These four habits are simple yet powerful ways to protect teeth, promote oral hygiene, and ensure long-term wellness for people of all ages.
The campaign also calls on the public to start investing early in their “health pension”—by prioritizing daily oral care as a foundation for healthy aging.