National Smile Month

National Smile Month runs from May 19th to June 19th. It’s all about oral hygiene. Here are our top tips.

Brush your teeth – At least two minutes twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. Make sure you clean your teeth before bed, as your mouth doesn’t have the same salivary protection during the night as it does during the day.

Floss – Each tooth has five sides; a toothbrush only cleans three sides. The other two sides are where most decay and foul odours originate. To clean between the teeth requires dental floss or tiny inter-dental brushes.

Clean your tongue – This is an important part of oral hygiene and works wonders with stale, smelly breath. You can use a tongue scraper or a toothbrush

Give up smoking – Smoking dries the mouth, depleting the protective saliva. It also exposes your gums, soft palate and tongue to harmful and cancer-causing toxins, and it makes your breath smell.

Use a mouthwash – This freshens breath and coats the teeth with a protective layer, helping to prevent plaque build-up.

Cut out sugary foods and drinks – Sugary snacks feeds the bacteria in your mouth which ultimately break down your enamel and cause decay.

Visit your dentist regularly!

By Louise Addison

For more help with your smile, pop down to Superdrug