National Smile Month is here, running from 15 May – 15 June 2023!
National Smile Month is a national annual charity campaign about championing the benefits of having good oral health and promoting the value of a healthy smile.
Between 15 May and 15 June this year, the Oral Health Foundation will be spreading the word about important health issues.
We’re proud to show our support by sharing these four key messages for better oral health:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes, last thing at night and one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste.
Daily brushing is so important because it removes plaque. If the plaque isn’t removed, it continues to build up, feeding on the bits of food left behind and causing tooth decay and gum disease.
After brushing, spit out the toothpaste, but do not rinse your mouth. If you do, you’ll be washing away the fluoride, which continues to help protect the teeth.
Fluoride is the most important ingredient in toothpaste as it strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay.
Spitting out the excess paste and not rinsing will ensure that the fluoride maintains a protective barrier on your teeth.
- Clean between your teeth every day.
The action of cleaning in between our teeth, using interdental brushing or dental floss, loosens bacteria and food debris from between our teeth. This means that when you brush your teeth after flossing or using interdental brushes, the brushing process will be much more successful at removing plaque.
- Cut down how much and how often you have sugary foods and drinks.
What we eat can have a big influence on our oral health. Snacking can do more damage than you think, particularly if you are having sugary foods and drinks.
It’s far better for our teeth and general health if we eat three meals a day instead of having snacks to get through the day. Try and maintain a healthy balanced diet and avoid sugar where possible.
- Visit a dentist regularly.
Its important to come and see your dentist for a check-up every six months, so that we can spot any issues early and tackle them quickly.
If you’re due for your next check-up with your dentist or a visit to our hygienist at Honour Health, please call your chosen practice (Jesmond – 0191 281 3913 or email jesmond@honourhealth.co.uk), Stanley – 01207 232 725 or email stanley@honourhealth.co.uk, Ponteland – 01661 821 412 or email ponteland@honourhealth.co.uk) and we’ll book an appointment for you.
We are always here for you if you’re concerned about your oral health or if you’d like any advice.
National Smile Month is the perfect opportunity to reassess your oral health, and the website www.smilemonth.org has a wealth of information, resources and tips to help you look after your mouth.