National Smile Month

The months of May and June can only mean one thing for dentists as they signal the launch of National Smile Month. The campaign, which runs between May 20 and June 20, provides the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of good oral hygiene and remind patients that it’s often the simple things that go a long way in maintaining healthy teeth.

At the core of the campaign are three key messages; brushing teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste; cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks; visit your dentist regularly and as often as they recommend.

Although these principles may sound basic, it’s surprising how many new patients visit me without having this kind of a routine in place. In fact, research suggests that 60% of people aged 65 and over subsequently regret not looking after their teeth in this kind of way later in life.

You’ll see from the picture that my team at 10Dental are already taking part and wearing their ‘smile’ with pride and I’m encouraging all of my patients to do the same. You can find out more about the British Dental Health Foundation’s Smile Month here www.nationalsmilemonth.org.