Do you know how to look after your teeth and gums?
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Reducing the frequency and amount of sugars in the diet can help prevent tooth decay.
Brush teeth at least twice daily:
• last thing at night (or before bedtime) and on at least one other occasion for 2 minutes each time
• with toothpaste containing 1,350 to 1,500ppm fluoride
• spitting out after brushing rather than rinsing with water, to avoid diluting the fluoride concentration
For adults at higher risk a fluoride mouth rinse daily (0.05% NaF; 230 ppmF) can also be used, at a different time to toothbrushing
Do you visit a dentist regularly or just when you have a problem?
A check-up allows your dentist to see if you have any dental problems and helps you keep your mouth healthy. Leaving problems untreated usually leads to pain, tooth loss and could make them more difficult to treat in the future, so it’s best to deal with problems early, or, if possible, prevent them altogether.
The time between check-ups can vary from 3 months to 2 years, depending on how healthy your teeth and gums are and your risk of future problems, your dentist will do an assessment of you mouth and oral health and will advise you how frequently you should have check-ups.
Do you know how to look after your childrens teeth and gums?
Teeth should be brushed by a parent or carer. As the child gets older, a parent or carer should assist them to brush their own teeth:
• on all tooth surfaces
• at least twice a day, for 2 minutes each time
• last thing at night (or before bedtime) and on at least one other occasion
• with toothpaste containing at least 1,000 ppm fluoride
• under 3s should use a smear of toothpaste, this can be increased to a pea-sized amount for over 3s
• spitting out after brushing rather than rinsing, to avoid diluting the fluoride concentration
Reduce the amount and frequency of foods and drinks that contain sugar. In particular, avoid sugar-containing foods and drinks at bedtime when saliva flow is reduced and buffering capacity is lost
A balanced diet should be eaten and only water and plain milk should be consumed between meals
children should visit a dentist as soon as their first tooth appears
NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18 or under 19 and in qualifying full time education
If your child does not have a dentist explain that there is a service finder on the NHS website enables you to find local NHS services, including dentists.
Encourage children to attend the dentist with the rest of the family to receive regular preventive care
Did you know that you can lower the risk of oral cancer by quitting smoking and reducing the amount of alcohol you drink?
Oral cancer includes cancers of the lip, other parts of the mouth and throat.
Tobacco, either smoked or chewed, alcohol and betel nut use are among the leading causes of oral cancer.
Your dentist will check for signs of mouth cancer at your check-up. These include ulcers that have been present or more than 3 weeks, white or red patches and unusual lumps in your mouth or jaw area.
Did you know that smoking increases the risk of gum diseases and can affect the response to treatment?
Smoking and use of smokeless tobacco products have a profound effect on the risk of developing gum disease and they also impair the treatment response
People who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease. The gums are affected because smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, so the infected gums don't heal.
Do you know how your diet can cause tooth decay?
Dental decay is one of the most common diseases nationally and throughout the world. The disease is caused by dietary sugars that are broken down by bacteria on the surfaces of teeth, this produces acids that, over time, demineralise tooth enamel and allow the bacteria to invade the tooth causing deeper decay.
Dental decay is largely preventable by controlling the risk factors involved
Eating a healthy balanced diet containing fruit, vegetables, low in fat, salt and sugar and based on whole grain products is important for good general health and oral health.
Minimise amount and frequency of consumption of sugar-containing food and drinks.
Avoid sugar-containing foods and drinks at bedtime when saliva flow is reduced and buffering capacity is lost.
Only water and plain milk should be drank between meals
Other useful regional services:
Two minutes twice a day
It is easy to get your mouth clean and healthy, and keep it that way. A simple routine can help prevent most dental problems:
brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste
spit out after brushing and do not rinse, so that the fluoride stays on your teeth longer
cleaning between the teeth with ‘interdental' brushes or floss at least once a day
good eating habits - having sugary foods and drinks less often, and
regular dental check-ups.
Don't rinse
Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in many foods and in all drinking water. The amount of fluoride in water varies from area to area.
Fluoride can greatly help dental health by strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay. It also reduces the amount of acid that the bacteria on your teeth produce.
Children who have fluoride when their teeth are developing tend to have shallower grooves in their teeth, so plaque can be more easily removed.
Toothbrushing is the most important way to remove plaque, using a mouthwash should not replace toothbrushing. If you do choose to use a mouthwash as well choose one which contains fluoride to help prevent tooth decay, but don't use mouthwash (even a fluoride one) straight after brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth. Choose a different time to use mouthwash, such as after lunch. Don't eat or drink for 30 minutes after using a fluoride mouthwash.
Try a fluoride mouthwash
Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in many foods and in all drinking water. The amount of fluoride in water varies from area to area.
Fluoride can greatly help dental health by strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay. It also reduces the amount of acid that the bacteria on your teeth produce.
Children who have fluoride when their teeth are developing tend to have shallower grooves in their teeth, so plaque can be more easily removed. Plaque is a thin, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth.
Be aware of sugary food and drinks
What we eat can have a big influence on our oral health. Snacking every now and again may seem harmless but can actually do more damage than you think, particularly if you are having sugary foods and drinks. Try and keep sugary foods and drinks to meal times.
Many of us are guilty of regularly skipping meals and eating sugary snacks instead. Every time you eat or drink anything sugary, your teeth are under acid attack for up to one hour. This is because the sugar will react with the bacteria in plaque (the sticky coating on your teeth) and produce harmful acids. So it is important to have sugary foods or drinks just at mealtimes, limiting the amount of time your mouth is at risk. . If you do need to snack between meals, choose foods that do not contain sugar, savoury snacks are usually better eg breadsticks, cheese
Acidic foods and drinks are also harmful. The acid ‘erodes' or dissolves the enamel, exposing the dentine underneath. This can make your teeth sensitive and unsightly.
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 for our teeth it’s important to avoid sugar when we can.
Drink more water
In some areas water contains fluoride which helps strengthen your teeth
It doesn’t contain sugar and is totally safe for teeth
It keeps you hydrated.
See your dentist at least twice a year
Your dentist will assess your mouth and assign a recall interval ranging from 3 to 24 months, based on your oral health needs and disease risk.
For children a recall interval ranging from 3 to 12 months based on oral health needs and disease risk will be assigned.
Recently access to NHS dental care has been highlighted as an issue.
How to do a mouth cancer check
Signs of mouth cancer can include:
Ulcers that do not heal within 3 weeks
Red or white patches inside the mouth
Lumps and swellings of no obvious cause in the mouth or neck
Healthy brushing advice for adults
Information on how to clean your teeth properly and keep disease and cavities at bay.
Finding a dentist
Find an NHS dentist for routine care. For urgent dental care your current practice may offer an appointment at short notice.
Healthy brushing advice for children
Follow these tips and you can help keep your kids' teeth decay-free.
Free Dental Care
Advise as to who is entitled to free NHS dental treatment in England
Cost of NHS Dental Care
There are 3 NHS charge bands:
Band 1: £25.80
Covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish (if clinically needed), and planning for further treatment.
Band 2: £70.70
Covers all treatment included in Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions).
Band 3: £306.80
Covers all treatment included in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges
How to do a mouth cancer check
In this video we show you how to do a mouth cancer check at home. It only takes two minutes however this simple check could save your life one day.
Dental Choices
Independent information and advice on NHS dentistry in England
Oral Health Foundation
The Oral Health Foundation is an independent charity (not for profit) dedicated to improving oral health and wellbeing around the world. For more than 45 years we have continued to provide expert, independent and impartial advice on all aspects of oral health directly to those who need it most.