To mark National Smile Month 2023, Derby City Council will be offering oral health help and advice to families.
National Smile Month starts on May 15 and runs until June 15, 2023. The council has teamed up with Derbyshire County Council to get families to join the ‘Smile Squad’.
Dr Robyn Dewis, Derby City Council’s director for public health, said, “We know from our latest survey that more than one in five five-year-olds in Derby have decayed teeth. This causes pain and problems eating, sleeping, and concentrating at school.
“Having teeth removed is the most common reason for primary school-aged children to go into hospital for an operation.
“There are simple things that we can do to support our children to develop good habits, by cutting back on sugary foods and drinks, brushing teeth twice a day and visiting a dentist as soon as their first tooth comes through.”
Nationally, one in four (25 per cent) adults do not brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Almost one in three (31 per cent) of adults have tooth decay, and around three in four (74 per cent) have had a tooth extracted.
By helping children get into a simple oral health routine from the start, the council hopes it will help them avoid most oral health problems.
For more information visit http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/oralhealth