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It’s the longest running and largest campaign to promote good oral health in our calendars, and it is nearly upon us. National Smile Month, the oral health campaign run by the Oral Health Foundation, runs from May 13^th to June 13^th this year, and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in this worthwhile cause.

Why support National Smile Month

The Oral Health Foundation is an entirely self-funded charity who believes that everybody has the right to access oral healthcare and should be provided with basic support and education to be able to achieve good oral health. Over the last year, thousands of children around the world have been in hospital having teeth removed under local anaesthetic due to tooth decay. Many of these cases could have been prevented if children and parents were educated about better oral health and daily oral hygiene routines, as well as the damage sugar, does to teeth.

Schools can also get involved and the Oral Health Foundation strongly believe that if oral health was a bigger priority in the classroom, as well as at home, many of the tooth extractions could be prevented.

Another reason to support National Smile Month is that it raises the profile of mouth cancer, which unfortunately affects more than 300,000 people around the world every year. In the UK, cases of mouth cancer have risen by around a third in the last decade and it now claims more lives than testicular and cervical cancer put together. The Oral Health Foundation tirelessly supports raising awareness of this disease and spotting the signs and symptoms early, which can literally save lives!

Top tips for looking after your smile

The campaign also promotes the importance of a healthy smile and aims to highlight the importance of keeping a healthy mouth. Our teeth play a vital role in life, helping us to chew and digest food, helping us to speak clearly and they even give our faces their shape. A good smile can also give a person more confidence and can influence  social lives, relationships and careers. Below are some top tips to keep your mouth in tip-top shape:-

• Brush twice a day – for 2 minutes each time. We know this sounds basic, but you would be surprised how many people are not brushing for this length of time. Try using a timer to see how long you are brushing for.
• Floss your teeth – many people miss this vital part of oral hygiene, and with plenty of tools to floss your teeth on the market nowadays, there really is a tool for everyone.
• Limit acidic drinks – cut down on soft drinks such as cordials and fruit juices, which can corrode the teeth. The best drink for teeth is good old fashioned water!
• Cut down your sugary foods – the bacteria in dental plaque changes sugars into acid, which can attack the teeth and gums.
• See your dentist for regular check-ups – it is important to get your teeth checked approximately every 6 months and don’t leave it until you have a toothache or a problem.
• Use your teeth for eating – as simple as this sounds, there are numerous cases where patients have broken or chipped a tooth by opening bottles, cracking nuts or ripping packaging etc.

If you would like to find out more information about National Smile Month and how you can get involved, you can visit their website at- https://www.nationalsmilemonth.org/

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