National Smile Month Is Underway!

May 20th 2013 marked the first day of the annual National Smile Month. An initiative of the British Dental Health Foundation, National Smile Month is the largest oral health campaign in the United Kingdom.

National Smile Month is a great opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of healthy teeth and gums, not only for the good of our oral health but also for our general well-being.

This year actually marks the 37th National Smile Month event, having been established back in 1976. It has been vital in offering important advice to the community as well as dental professionals ever since.

There are a number of ways you can take part in National Smile Month. If you are keen to seek the most reliable advice on how to maintain good oral health, are interested in finding out more about how to raise awareness, or would like to register your interest in actively participating in the campaign, visit www.nationalsmilemonth.org.

National Smile Month runs until June 20th, 2013.

Ten Interesting Facts About Teeth

1) Milk teeth begin to develop before birth, but do not appear until 6-12 months after a child is born.
 Most people will have lost their milk teeth by the time they get to age fourteen.

2) A full adult set consists of thirty-two teeth, the last four of which may appear later than the others. The final teeth to come through are referred to as wisdom teeth.

3) A set of teeth consists of four different types; incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

4) Incisors are the two front teeth on the top jaw, and the two front teeth on the bottom jaw.

5) There are also four canine teeth – one on either side of your two sets of incisors. These teeth are very sharp, and used to tear foods.

6) There are eight premolars in total, and they are located next to the canine teeth, with four on the upper jaw and four on the lower jaw. They are much larger and wider than the teeth at the front on your jaw.

7) The molars are the eight teeth at the back of your jaw, again with four on top and four on the bottom. Located towards the rear of your mouth, these teeth play the biggest part in breaking down food.

8) The outer coating of the tooth is a substance called enamel, and is the hardest substance present in the entire body.

9) Inside the enamel and dentine shell is the area that controls the blood supply and nerve endings of the tooth. This highly-protected area is known as the pulp.
 The nerve endings within the pulp communicate with the brain.

10) A substance called cementum is what secures the root of the tooth to the gum.
 The tooth is connected to the jawbone by periodontal fibres.

Your Lifestyle and Your Teeth

By brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing, and following the advice of your dentist and hygienist, your chances of maintaining healthy teeth and gums will be very good.

However, taking care of your overall health through your lifestyle is another major contributor to keeping your teeth and gums in great condition.

Drinking alcohol and smoking are two lifestyle habits that can be very detrimental to your oral health.

Drinking alcohol is known to be a major cause of tooth decay. Drinking on a regular basis has also been linked to mouth cancer, as a high percentage of those diagnosed cite frequent alcohol intake as a part of their lifestyle and diet.

Smoking is another habit that can cause major complications for your oral health, as well as your health in general. Smoking can cause discolouration of your teeth, bad breath, and gum disease. Just like drinking alcohol regularly, frequent smoking is another mouth cancer risk.

The benefits of cutting down on drinking alcohol and quitting smoking are great not only for your teeth and gums, but for your overall health as well.

If you would like an assessment of your oral health and further advice on how to keep your teeth and gums healthy, please contact our practice by telephone or through our website to arrange an appointment.

About Your Dental Check-ups

In last week’s blog, we let you know that you should follow advice from your dentist about how often you should be seen for your dental appointments. This week, our blog is about exactly why it is important for you to see your dentist for your routine check-up appointments.

Check-ups are essential in maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. By making sure you visit for a check-up as and when advised, your dentist will be able to identify any potential problems at a much earlier stage and advise you accordingly on treatment and your oral health care regime.

During a routine check-up appointment, your dentist will examine your mouth and ask you about your general health, lifestyle, and diet. Doing this allows them to make an assessment of your oral health, and recommend any necessary action if required.

Your dentist will then let you know when you need to visit them again for a follow-up appointment.

If you are due for a routine check-up appointment, do not hesitate to contact us. You can do this directly through our website or by calling us at the practice.