Oral Health
Your teeth and gums are part of your overall health. Poor oral health can lead to pain, infections, and even impact your confidence. Taking care of your smile now pays off in the long run.
How to keep your mouth healthy
- Brush for 2 minutes, twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (1,350 – 1,500 ppm fluoride)
- Brush last thing at night before bed, and at one other time, usually in the morning – it helps protect your teeth from decay
- Spit out after brushing and do not rinse – this maintains fluoride concentration levels
- Use floss or interdental brushes to clean between teeth - ask your dentist how to use these properly
- Don’t forget your tongue! Gently brush it to remove bacteria
- Avoid sugary drinks and snacks – they cause tooth decay
- Smoking and vaping can harm your mouth and stain your teeth
- See your dentist regularly (at least once per year) or as often as they recommend
It is free to visit your dentist for a check-up if you are under 18 years old, or under 19 years old and in full-time education. You can find a dentist local to you, if you don’t already have one. Support with dentistry costs is also available as you transition into adulthood.
Rethink that fizzy drink!
- Did you know that fizzy drinks are the biggest source of sugar intake for 11–18-year-olds
- These drinks are just empty calories. Energy drinks also contain high amounts of caffeine. Acidic foods and drinks, including fizzy drinks, can cause dental erosion.
- Evidence suggests that excessive consumption of energy drinks is linked to negative health outcomes such as headaches, sleeping problems, irritation, tiredness, and tooth decay, and current rules require that energy drinks containing over 150mg of caffeine are labelled as 'not recommended for children’.
- Most retailers don’t sell energy drinks to under 16s.
- Plain water and milk are the best things to drink. If you drink fruit juice/smoothies, have no more than one a day and drink it with a meal. Leave a 30-minute gap before tooth brushing.
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