Love Your Mouth

Looking after your mouth, your teeth and gums is important for your physical and mental health in every stage of your life.

When was the last time you thought about your mouth care routine? Read our advice and introduce some new good habits if you need to.

Get involved with our #MakeMondayMatter movement by following our socials including Facebook and Instagram. Tell us how you are getting on to #LoveYourMouth.

Top tips to love your mouth

1. Brush twice a day.

Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for about 2 minutes to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Brushing your teeth should be the last thing you do before you go to bed.

Your dentist or hygienist may give you more advice based on your own dental health and visit the NHS keeping your teeth clean page.

2. Floss.

Floss or use an interdental brush every day to remove food, debris and plaque lodged between your teeth.

3. Healthy habits.

Have a healthy lifestyle, including eating well, not smoking and limiting your alcohol and sugar intake. It’s good for your whole body, including your teeth, gums, and mouth.

4. Regular dental check-ups.

Have regular check-ups with your dentist, don’t put it off as detecting problems early can mean they’re easier to treat.

If problems are not treated, they may lead to damage that’s harder, or even impossible, to repair.

You can find an NHS Dentist online.

5. Straighten crooked teeth.

More and more teenagers (and some adults) are having braces and orthodontics to straighten their teeth. The NHS has more information about braces and orthodontics.

6. Start young.

Help your child to love their mouth by developing a good routine.

Children and young people

It’s important to start brushing as soon as baby teeth come through.

Set good mouth hygiene habits from a young age. Take your children to the dentist and teach them how to care for their mouth, teeth, and gums.

It can be daunting and difficult for some children but keep at it and use resources to help.

The British Society for Paediatric Dentistry has worked with Dr Ranj to produce these helpful videos on how to look after your teeth.

The risk of poor mouth health

The body’s natural defences and good mouth hygiene, brushing and flossing, are usually enough to keep bacteria under control. Without good mouth hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease, which can be uncomfortable and costly if you pay for your dental treatment.

Poor mouth health will increase your risk of developing other serious health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, and it will put you at greater risk of developing pneumonia, inflammation in the lung caused by an infection, especially if you are an older person living in a care home.

A note for carers

If you are caring for someone, it’s important to help them maintain good mouth hygiene. There is evidence that poor mouth health is associated with the development of clinical frailty. By maintaining good mouth hygiene, we can help to address one of the factors that may lead to health deterioration in older people who are at risk of or living with clinical frailty.

Free training

You can access a free, six week training course, consisting of two hours of content every week to help you care for someone else’s mouth.

Mouth Care Matters Course

Get To Know Where To Go

More information about finding dental services, to help you love your mouth, can be found on our Get To Know Where To Go pages. This includes information about the Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care Service and help with costs.