Barely a day or week goes by without hearing it’s National This Day or International That Day. Sometimes there are even National Months.
The next four weeks celebrate National Smile Month (17th May to 16th June).
The purpose of this awareness campaign is to encourage us all to to make sure we look after our teeth and in turn, our health.
“Don’t forget your toothbrush is our advice,” says Oral Health Promotion specialist Janet Cuoghi from NHS Isle of Wight. “Good oral health helps to prevent gum disease, which can lead to heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes and low birth weight babies,”
Crumbs (not good to have stuck between the teeth), apparently gum disease affects 19 out of 20 people in the entire world.
We’re talking from minor gum disease to something like gingivitis or periodontitis which are the more serious ones, representing advanced stages.
So it’s not surprising that the NHS are at it again – hoping to make sure that we, the general public understand the importance of good oral hygiene and how keeping your teeth clean is not just about preventing lots of fillings or bad breath.
Janet Cuoghi continues: “As well as putting up posters in public places and on noticeboards we are going out on the road to Ryde, Newport and East Cowes to take the message to Islanders and visitors. Our simple advice to everyone is to “¦”¦
· Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
· Cut down how often you have sugary foods and drinks
· Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend
“¦”¦”¦. And we want to see everyone smiling!”
On the road
If you want to learn more about good oral hygeine then you might want to pop along to have a chat with Janet and her Oral Health Promotion colleague, Sarah Fretwell.
They will be putting on their best smiles in Newport and East Cowes over the next couple of weeks as below.
Thursday 28th May – Outside Early Learning Centre, St. James Square, Newport between 10:00a.m. and 2:30p.m.
Wednesday 3rd June – Outside Somerfield, East Cowes between 10:00a.m. and 2:30p.m.
Big up the VB
As always, don’t forget to say where you heard about it.
We don’t get paid a penny for promoting these events, so it’d be good to at least spread the word of where you heard about it.
