National Smile Month – practicing good oral health
- Categories: Health & Wellbeing
Joe Webber
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Helping physical and mental wellbeing through a healthy smile
From the 18th May to the 18th June, the Oral Health Foundation is asking everyone to take part in National Smile Month to promote the benefits of keeping good oral hygiene. As well as providing clear and easy-to-understand guidance on cleaning teeth, dieting and general wellbeing, it’s also a hub for useful tips and statistics. For example, on average three school days are missed each year due to dental problems.
As a self-funded charity, the Oral Health Foundation rely on donations and fundraisers to deliver their message and give support by tackling poor oral health in underrepresented demographics, educating children, parents, teachers and carers, and by operating their Dental Helpline for anybody who needs advice on oral health. So far more than 400,000 people have contacted the helpline.
There are a variety of fun and health-themed events, activities and challenges for all ages to get involved with including a weekly national tooth brushing morning called the Great British Brushathon. Through the website you’re also able to share photos of your smile around the world, read or write poems aimed at making other people smile and upload a recording of yourself or view others singing a song with the world smile in the title. There’s also a downloadable home-schooling programme to educate children on a range of dental related subjects.
Side effects of poor oral health
When we think of poor oral hygiene, cavities (tooth decay), sensitive teeth, infections and gum disease are the main symptoms many of us will experience. However, gum disease may have more serious consequences. It may result in increased risk of other health complications, including stroke, diabetes and heart disease, and has even been linked with problems in pregnancy and dementia.
Learn how to improve oral health for adults in care homes by reading this quick and friendly guide written by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence:
www.nice.org.uk/Media/Default/Oral_health_quick_guide/Oral_health_a_quick_guide_for_care_home_managers.pdf
Using CareDocs
When you initially assess your residents using CareDocs, you will be asked questions regarding the state of their oral health. The answers you provide under the Oral Care Plan section will then form part of their personalised care plan, which also satisfies the compliance data necessary for care quality inspections.
To find out more about the Oral Care Plan and where to locate the assessment questions in CareDocs, please contact our friendly support team today 0330 056 3333 or via email at support@caredocs.co.uk.
Sources
National Smile Month:
www.dentalhealth.org/national-smile-month
Oral Health Foundation Dental Helpline:
https://www.dentalhealth.org/dental-helpline
NHS (Health Risks of Gum Disease):
www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/health-risks-of-gum-disease/
Healthline (Dental and Oral Health):
www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health
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Joe Webber
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