National Smile Month

Every year the Oral Health Foundation campaigns for good oral health with their National Smile Month campaign. One You Merton supports this excellent campaign and encourages everyone to take pride in their smile and look after their dental health.

Taking care of your smile

In order to improve the nation’s oral health, the Oral Health Foundation – which is an oral health charity, together with dentists, healthcare professionals and individuals aims to “raise awareness of health issues and make a positive difference” by encouraging the public to act on three main factors which affect our oral health:

• Making sure to brush teeth with a fluoride toothpaste once before bedtime, and at least once at some point during the day
• Reducing sugary foods and drinks intake and try using sugar free alternatives instead.
• Ensuring to get an oral health check-up as recommended by professionals

Consequences of disregarding the health of your smile

The National Oral Health Foundation have presented several consequences of not looking after your oral health. One main issue is gum disease which causes infection and this can lead to more serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, pregnancy, respiratory illnesses, dementia, and can worsen your oral health if you have diabetes.
Gum disease symptoms are:

• Inflammation of gums, making them red, swollen and to bleed easily, particularly during teeth brushing.
• Bad taste and breath in the mouth.
• Loose teeth.
• Infections that happen often in the mouth.

Smoking affects the health of your mouth and gums.  If you would like support to stop smoking visit our Quit Smoking page.

Prevent oral health issues and improve oral health

Key messages for good oral hygiene to prevent the need for dental treatments:

• Always tell your dentist any changes to your health and diet.
• Make sure to clean teeth thoroughly and get any tartar and plaque removed by your dentist or hygienist.
• Ensure to have a healthy diet and take up exercise – for activities for all ages visit our Be Active page.
• Look for support if you are a smoker – visit our Quit Smoking page.

Get involved

The National Oral Health Foundation website offers several ideas of how to get involved and spread smiles. Find our more about National Smile Month.

In addition, make sure you visit your dentist regularly. Find a dentist in Merton