Be Well Tameside supports Brush for Better Health

FOR National Smile Month (15 May - 15 June), the Oral Health team from Be Well Tameside, have been promoting the benefits of Brushing for Better Health for everyone.

It is important that everyone brushes their teeth and gums at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. This helps to remove plaque and prevent developing gum disease, which is also linked with heart disease and diabetes.

Yet despite the benefits of daily tooth brushing, many of us still do not consider it a priority, with one in four adults not brushing twice daily.

By encouraging young children to develop and practice good, healthy habits in the early stages of life it will ensure it stays with them for a lifetime.

The Oral Health team have been supporting staff, patients and visitors at Tameside and Glossop Integrated NHS Care Foundation Trust (ICFT) providing advice and resources for all of the family.

Hospitalisation can be associated with a deterioration of oral health in patients. This in turn has been linked to an increase in hospital-acquired infections (such as hospital-acquired pneumonia), poor nutritional uptake, longer hospital stays and increased care costs.

To achieve better oral health everyone is advised to brush teeth for two minutes, twice a day; last thing at night and one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste (1,350-1,500ppmF). Spit out after brushing, do not rinse with water or mouthwash.

Clean between your teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes.

Cut down how much and how often you have sugary foods and drinks.

Visit a dentist as often as recommended.

Stop smoking, or using smokeless tobacco products.

Keep to the recommended guidelines (14 units per week) if consuming alcohol.

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Population Health, Councillor Eleanor Wills, said: “Caring for your mouth and maintaining good oral health at every stage of life is important. Good oral health is an indicator of an individual’s overall health, well-being and quality of life.

It enables us to enjoy the benefits of a healthy, balanced diet, to socialise and communicate with others, increases our confidence and self-esteem, and it can help in the prevention of some long-term health conditions.”

For more information about Oral Health, visit our webpage by clicking here.