NHS launches ‘a to z for a healthier mouth’

A new campaign aimed at helping people look after the health of their mouth and teeth has been launched in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The ‘a to z for a healthier mouth’ provides information for people to help keep their mouths healthy, including tooth brushing, what foods and drink to avoid, advice to help children and ways to reduce the risk of diseases, including cancer.

The campaign has been launched by NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) – the organisation responsible for planning and managing health services across the region – and features all 26 letters of the alphabet.

Clare Granger, a dentist and clinical fellow with the ICB, said: “Keeping a healthy mouth is very important for both our oral and general health, to help prevent dental disease and other problems.

“The most important way of looking after our smile is to brush every morning and evening with a family strength fluoride toothpaste, and reducing the number of times per day we eat food or drinks with added sugars.

“The ‘a to z for a healthier mouth’ is a great way to understand some of the ways we can all improve our oral health and it is presented in a colourful and easy-to-understand way. I would encourage everyone to go and have a look.”

To see the a to z for a healthier mouth, visit www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/a-z-healthier-mouth

The campaign will be promoted on social media and in community settings across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

For urgent dental treatment or advice please contact your usual dental practice in the first instance. Alternatively, the Lancashire and South Cumbria dental helpline can also provide advice, support and an appointment where required. It is charged at your local rate. Call 0300 1234010 between 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm weekends and bank holidays.

Outside of these hours, for urgent dental support call 111.