A charity campaign by the Oral Health Foundation. www.smilemonth.org

We're thrilled to support National Smile Month here at City Dental Practice! A healthy smile is essential for your overall health, wellbeing, and self-esteem. We're here to offer valuable advice, tips, and top-notch care and treatments to help you maintain a radiant smile! Don't forget you can always reach out to us via phone, by dropping into our clinic, or emailing us.

🌟 This month is National Smile Month! 😁

From May 13th to June 13th 2024, we celebrate the importance of a healthy smile with this year's theme: "Love Your Smile." Here's a sneak peek of what we'll be covering:

😁 Caring for Your Smile

We'll dive into daily hygiene routines, why they're essential for your smile, and the crucial role your dental team plays in maintaining your oral health.

🥤 Food & Drink

Discover how what you consume affects your mouth. Learn about the impact on your teeth, tongue, and gums, and which foods and drinks are beneficial or harmful.

💪 Confidence & Mental Wellbeing

Explore how your smile influences your self-esteem and confidence. Find out about the mental health benefits of a healthy smile and tips to fall in love with your smile.

🦠 Disease & Conditions

Understand the connection between oral health and various physical and mental conditions. Learn about common oral health diseases and how to prevent them.

🦷 Oral Health Products

Get the lowdown on essential oral health products. Learn about the different options, how to use them, and their impact on achieving a healthy smile.

Join us in celebrating National Smile Month and let's make our smiles brighter together! 😄✨

We're also sharing this information on our social media platforms to make sure you follow us to get all the latest news. (links in footer below).

Tip 1: Visit a Hygienist

Seeing a dental hygienist regularly can help to keep your gums healthy and your smile fresh and stain free. You will be amazed at how fresh your mouth feels after a scale and polish. Plus we can help offer tips on how to control tartar build up by brushing effectively especially by identifying areas you're missing when you brush your teeth.

Tip 2: Clean In-Between. Flossing and Interdental Brushes

Your toothbrush doesn't reach all of the tooth surface, so to clean them properly you need to make sure you're getting in all the nooks and crannies. If you need some advice, there is plenty on our blog here: Benefits of Flossing

Tip 3: Spit but Don't Rinse

When you rinse with water after you brush your teeth you're actually rinsing away the fluoride left behind from the toothpaste. That's why we always say you should avoid rinsing with water. If you really want to rinse, use a fluoride mouthwash.

Tip 4: Cut Down on Sugar

Reducing the amount of sugar you're consuming, and snacking in between means is a sure fire way to improve your oral health and lower your risk of decay.

Tip 5: Poor Oral Health leads to Confidence Drop

Poor oral health can impact speech and self-esteem. This can lead to reduced social interactions and lower your confidence. Your smile is important, if you haven't visited for a while, make an appointment, we can help. Whatever is stopping you, we understand, our caring staff are here to put any of your fears behind you.

Tip 6: The Impact of Stress and Anxiety on Oral Health

When you're feeling stressed, you may unconsciously clench or grind your teeth, a condition known as bruxism. Over time, this can lead to various dental issues such as tooth wear, jaw pain, and even headaches. At City Dental Practice, our dentists are trained to spot the signs of teeth grinding and clenching. If you're experiencing these symptoms, we can provide you with a custom-made appliance to wear at night, protecting your teeth and helping to relieve discomfort. It's essential to recognise that your mental health and oral health are closely linked. If you have concerns about how stress is affecting your teeth, or if dental problems are impacting your mental well-being, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare professionals. A holistic approach to health can lead to better overall wellness. Take the first step towards a healthier you by addressing both your mental and oral health. Remember, a healthy smile starts with a healthy mind!

Tip 7: Gum Disease

If we don't brush effectively, plaque and bacteria can build up, leading to inflammation. Over time, this can result in gum disease (peridontitis) and if left untreated, can cause tooth loss. To help prevent it, it is imperative you keep up with your oral hygiene routine and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups.

Tip 8: Dealing with Mouth Ulcers? Here's How to Find Relief!

Here are some simple tips to help you feel better:
1. Rinse with Salt Water: Mix 1 tsp of salt in a glass of warm water. Swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds and spit it out.
2. Avoid Irritating Foods: Skip spicy, acidic, and rough-textured foods that can aggravate the ulcer.
3. Use a Mouthwash: An antiseptic mouthwash can help reduce bacteria and speed up healing.
4. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist.
5. Topical Treatments: Over-the-counter gels and ointments can provide pain relief and protect the ulcer.
6. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

If your ulcer persists for more than two weeks or keeps coming back, see a healthcare professional.

Tip 9: Flouride

Use the right fluoride level for you. Adults need 1350 to 1500 ppm but a dentist might recommend a higher strength if they think it's necessary. You can read all about the benefits of Flouride on our web page here: What is Fluoride and how does it benefit dental health?

Tip 10: Choosing a Manual Toothbrush

Our final post for #SmileMonth. When choosing a manual toothbrush, make sure it has a small to medium head and medium bristles. A long, slim-necked toothbrush will help you reach those back teeth with ease! Take care of your smile, and it will take care of you! 😁💖

We hope you have enjoyed our tips for smile month. Please continue following our social pages and blog where we will always be happy to share lots of advice and of course, if you need to make a visit to see the dentist, we're just a phone call away.

 

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Why Choose Us?

• Master's degree in Endodontic (Root canal treatment)
• Almost 30 years experience
• All dental treatments are individually tailored to your specific needs