This year marks the 50th anniversary of Smile Month. From 11th May to 11th June, we’ll be celebrating the campaign’s impact on British dentistry over the past 5 decades, including increased awareness of hygiene practices and the widespread adoption of good oral health habits.
The efforts to keep Britain smiling continue, and Smile Month’s work is far from over. That’s why we’re also getting involved with our guide to good oral health habits to keep you and your family smiling for the next 50 years.
How has dentistry improved over the past 50 years?
Before we look forwards, we’re taking a look back at some of the landmark improvements in dentistry over the last half century.
When the NHS was first founded in 1948, dental care was largely needed to deal with decay, extractions, and other issues in the wake of WWII. Over the next few decades, efforts shifted from treating to restoring teeth, and finally to preventing oral health issues all together.
The 1970’s were the decade of preventative dentistry, and in 1976, the British Dental Health Foundation launched the first of its awareness campaigns. Today, this organisation is called the Oral Health Foundation, and its annual Smile Month is now the UK’s biggest oral health campaign.
50 years of smiles
Since 1976, the UK has seen:
- 1980’s: The ‘drill and fill’ decade, during which fillings, root canal treatments, and crowns became more and more popular.
- 1991: The launch of the Product Accreditation programme to help the British public identify the right oral health products for them.
- 1997: The launch of the free advice service, The Dental Helpline.
- 2003: The first Mouth Cancer Action Month was organised to raise awareness of risk factors and warning signs.
- 2013: The introduction of the oral health education programme for UK schools, Dental Buddy.
As well as a more widespread public awareness of good oral health habits, and the role of diet and lifestyle in dental health. With more advice, information, and products available than ever before, the public conversation around dental wellbeing continues - unfortunately, so too do the threats to your smile.
What challenges is your smile facing today?
Even after 50 years of Smile Month, UK smiles still have many challenges to overcome.
Here are just some of them:
- 26.9% of British five-year-olds have tooth decay.
- Children in the UK miss 3 school days on average per year due to dental problems.
- 31% of British adults have tooth decay.
- 74% of British adults have had a tooth extraction.
- Recorded cases of mouth cancer in England have increased by 37% over the past decade.
- Deaths from mouth cancer have also increased by 42% in the same timeframe.
Many people in the UK also admit to only visiting the dentist once they have noticed a problem with their oral health, but regular attendance is essential for early detection and specialist advice. If this applies to you, then now is the time to make a change.
How can you care for your smile for the next 50 years?
Modern life brings many setbacks with regards to good dental health. Added sugars, constant grazing, and busy schedules all make it hard to prioritise your smile, but if you take good care of your teeth then they will last a lifetime.
Grab your toothbrush, stock up on mouthwash, and get the whole family involved with these healthy habits for a healthy smile:
- Brush your teeth: Brush your teeth first thing in the morning and last thing at night with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss as needed: Use floss, interspace brushes, or mouthwash to clean those hard-to-reach areas between your teeth.
- Visit the dentist: 2 in 5 UK adults don’t visit the dentist regularly. Make sure you are not one of them.
- Feed your smile: Include leafy greens, crunchy fruits, and lean proteins in your daily diet.
- Avoid sugar: Limit your consumption of sugary and acidic foods and drinks.
- Check for bleeding: Bleeding gums can be an early sign of gum disease, so don’t ignore them.
- Start early: Good oral health habits are for life, so show your little ones how to brush their teeth and book them in for a checkup as soon as their first teeth come through.
Build good oral health habits with Dentalia
If you were looking for a sign to:
- Book a dental checkup.
- Enquire about a treatment.
- Or join us as a new patient.
Then this is it! There’s plenty of ways to get involved this Smile Month at Dentalia, so get in touch today, or click here to view all the specialist treatments we offer.
