Celebrating Tooth Appreciation Day: The 12th Sangi Tooth Award Honors Rina Kawaei
On August 1, recognized as 'Tooth Appreciation Day' in Japan, the Sangi Tooth Award celebrated its 12th edition at the EBiS303 Event Hall, honoring the talented actress Rina Kawaei. This event, organized by Sangi Co., Ltd., known for its leading whitening toothpaste series 'Apagard', emphasizes the importance of healthy and beautiful teeth. The theme this year was 'Challenge', reflecting the spirit of resilience and adaptability in times of change.
The Sangi Tooth Award has been established to celebrate individuals who not only possess beautiful teeth but also lead lives that inspire and shine brightly. August 1 was chosen for this observance as it can be phonetically interpreted in Japanese as 'teeth (8) equals life (1)'. This unique date ties back to a popular advertisement from the 1990s that popularized the idea that 'teeth are life'.
This year, Rina Kawaei was honored with the award due to her outstanding career journey as an actress after graduating from AKB48, facing each challenge head-on and continuing to shine in a variety of roles across film and television. Her ability to immerse herself seamlessly into her characters and her positive attitude resonate deeply with fans, making her a role model for many.
In her acceptance speech, Kawaei expressed gratitude and connected her recognition to the impactful advertising campaign she was born into - the Apagard series which began in 1995. She shared, 'It feels like I’ve been given praise equivalent to a year's worth, and I’m truly delighted.' Kawaei’s mindset of constantly challenging herself and living joyfully came through, revealing her enthusiasm for this prestigious recognition.
As a mother, Kawaei is dedicated to instilling the importance of oral care in her children. She describes how she actively engages her child in brushing their teeth and makes it a fun experience, despite the common struggles many parents face during this process. Kawaei openly shares her family's challenges with getting kids excited about oral hygiene, humorously referring to it as a ‘brushing cancellation community’ at home, a phrase many parents will find relatable.
Moreover, Kawaei shared her personal commitment to maintaining her own oral health regimen, ensuring she brushes, flosses, and uses mouthwash three times a day, even at filming locations. She prioritizes her oral care, believing that personal hygiene goes hand in hand with confidence. Revealing insights from her recent travels, including a trip to Thailand, Kawaei emphasized that enjoying delicious food is essential to her travel plans, sharing her light-hearted spirit with the audience.
During the event, Kawaei participated in a fun oral care diagnosis activity, where she received the top result of being a 'valuable person', indicating she values her family's health and well-being above all. Describing her child as the center of her universe, Kawaei expressed her deep commitment to showering her child with love and nurturing their well-being, which warmed the hearts of many present.
Concluding her message, she reiterated the importance of dental care for maintaining a confident smile, emphasizing her gratitude for the award and her continued dedication to promoting good oral health practices. The Sangi Tooth Award ceremony serves not only to appreciate those who challenge societal norms and inspire positivity but also to highlight the significance of oral hygiene in cultivating self-esteem and overall well-being.
The Sangi Tooth Award continues to recognizing individuals who champion health and beauty through their smiles, and with Kawaei as this year’s awardee, it reflects a shared commitment to the vitality and joy that accompanies a healthy, beautiful smile.
As the award not only honors remarkable individuals but also reinforces the societal value of dental health, it serves to inspire future generations in maintaining their health and smiles.
The Sangi Tooth Award has been established to celebrate individuals who not only possess beautiful teeth but also lead lives that inspire and shine brightly. August 1 was chosen for this observance as it can be phonetically interpreted in Japanese as 'teeth (8) equals life (1)'. This unique date ties back to a popular advertisement from the 1990s that popularized the idea that 'teeth are life'.
This year, Rina Kawaei was honored with the award due to her outstanding career journey as an actress after graduating from AKB48, facing each challenge head-on and continuing to shine in a variety of roles across film and television. Her ability to immerse herself seamlessly into her characters and her positive attitude resonate deeply with fans, making her a role model for many.
In her acceptance speech, Kawaei expressed gratitude and connected her recognition to the impactful advertising campaign she was born into - the Apagard series which began in 1995. She shared, 'It feels like I’ve been given praise equivalent to a year's worth, and I’m truly delighted.' Kawaei’s mindset of constantly challenging herself and living joyfully came through, revealing her enthusiasm for this prestigious recognition.
As a mother, Kawaei is dedicated to instilling the importance of oral care in her children. She describes how she actively engages her child in brushing their teeth and makes it a fun experience, despite the common struggles many parents face during this process. Kawaei openly shares her family's challenges with getting kids excited about oral hygiene, humorously referring to it as a ‘brushing cancellation community’ at home, a phrase many parents will find relatable.
Moreover, Kawaei shared her personal commitment to maintaining her own oral health regimen, ensuring she brushes, flosses, and uses mouthwash three times a day, even at filming locations. She prioritizes her oral care, believing that personal hygiene goes hand in hand with confidence. Revealing insights from her recent travels, including a trip to Thailand, Kawaei emphasized that enjoying delicious food is essential to her travel plans, sharing her light-hearted spirit with the audience.
During the event, Kawaei participated in a fun oral care diagnosis activity, where she received the top result of being a 'valuable person', indicating she values her family's health and well-being above all. Describing her child as the center of her universe, Kawaei expressed her deep commitment to showering her child with love and nurturing their well-being, which warmed the hearts of many present.
Concluding her message, she reiterated the importance of dental care for maintaining a confident smile, emphasizing her gratitude for the award and her continued dedication to promoting good oral health practices. The Sangi Tooth Award ceremony serves not only to appreciate those who challenge societal norms and inspire positivity but also to highlight the significance of oral hygiene in cultivating self-esteem and overall well-being.
The Sangi Tooth Award continues to recognizing individuals who champion health and beauty through their smiles, and with Kawaei as this year’s awardee, it reflects a shared commitment to the vitality and joy that accompanies a healthy, beautiful smile.
Event Details
- - Event Name: Sangi Tooth Award 2026
- - Awardee: Rina Kawaei
- - Date: July 30, 2026
- - Location: EBiS303 Event Hall, Ebisu, Tokyo
As the award not only honors remarkable individuals but also reinforces the societal value of dental health, it serves to inspire future generations in maintaining their health and smiles.
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