What Is World Oral Health Day – and Why Red Seal Has Been Backing Kiwi Smiles Since the 80s
Every year on 20 March, millions of people around the world come together to celebrate World Oral Health Day (WOHD) - a global moment dedicated to recognising the importance of caring for our mouths at every stage of life. The day exists to remind us that our daily oral care habits shape how we eat, speak, smile, and experience the world around us.
This year’s theme, “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life,” highlights how oral health supports wellbeing not just in one moment, but across an entire lifetime - from a baby’s first teeth to the confidence of older age. It’s the final chapter of a three‑year campaign by the FDI World Dental Federation, designed to show that oral health is essential to living life to the fullest.
And at Red Seal, it’s a moment that feels especially close to home. We’ve been crafting toothpaste here in New Zealand since the 1980s, guided by one simple belief: what you put in is what you get out.
So… What Exactly is World Oral Health Day?
World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is a global awareness day created to highlight how important it is to look after your mouth - at every age. It’s observed on 20 March, a date chosen because healthy adults are considered to have 20 natural teeth towards the end of life, and children begin with 20 baby teeth.
The day is supported internationally, with health organisations, dental communities and everyday people promoting awareness, routine care, and the simple habits that support oral health throughout life.
Why Looking After your Oral Health Matters
Our mouths are involved in almost everything we do - from enjoying food to communicating with the people we care about. A healthy mouth helps make these everyday moments feel enjoyable and effortless. The 2026 campaign reinforces that oral health matters for everyone, no matter your age, background or lifestyle.
Worldwide, oral health is increasingly recognised as part of overall wellbeing. The WOHD campaign emphasises that small, preventive habits make a meaningful difference over a lifetime.
What matters most is building simple, daily routines that feel natural and achievable - brushing, caring for your smile, making mindful choices about what you put into your body, and staying consistent as life changes from childhood through older adulthood.
Red Seal: Supporting Kiwi Smiles Since the 80s
For more than 40 years, Red Seal toothpaste has been part of bathroom shelves, morning routines and Kiwi households.
Since launching our first toothpaste in the 1980s, we’ve stayed true to a belief that continues to guide us today: what you put in is what you get out.
For us, that means:
- Choosing simple, thoughtful, effective ingredients
- Creating toothpastes that supports everyday brushing routines
- Making oral care feel like a natural part of looking after yourself
- Staying proudly local in how we craft and care for our products
We’ve seen a lot of trends come and go since the 80s - but the importance of a happy mouth has never changed.
How You Can Celebrate World Oral Health Day
Here are a few easy ways to mark the day in your own home, whānau or workplace - no pressure, no perfection, just simple steps:
1. Refresh your daily routine
Take a moment to check in with your habits. Are you brushing regularly? Do you enjoy your routine, or could it do with a little reset? Is it time to try a new flavour?
2. Make oral care more enjoyable
Choose products that make your routine feel good - flavours you enjoy, formulas that suit your lifestyle, and tools that make brushing feel effortless.
3. Get the kids involved
Turn brushing into a fun moment - music, timers, sticker charts - whatever makes it joyful.
WOHD is full of resources and global stories that highlight the importance of caring for your mouth at every age - find out more HERE.
A happy mouth, a happy life - today and every day.
As we celebrate World Oral Health Day, we’re proud to honour the importance of small, meaningful habits - the ones that make life feel a little brighter.
