Today is World Oral Health Day (Fri 20 March) and this year’s theme focuses on ‘A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life’.
There are many simple ways to protect your smile, including:
• Drinking plenty of water to help prevent dry mouth
• Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day
• Visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups
• Considering reducing or quitting vaping to protect your oral and overall health
People also may not know that vaping can affect oral health and can potentially lead to mouth issues.
Vaping is marketed as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes; however, it’s not risk-free due to the chemicals and nicotine it contains, which can impact our teeth, gums, and oral health:
- The chemicals in vapes can reduce saliva, causing a dry mouth. When the mouth is dry, this increases the risk of plaque build-up, bad breath and gum disease.
- The nicotine in vapes can stain teeth and restrict blood flow, making it harder to fight mouth infections or heal after dental procedures.
Clare McCool, Alcohol, Vaping and Cannabis Team Leader, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “While research into the long-term effects of vaping is still ongoing, there are potential risks to our overall health -particularly for young people and those who have never smoked- and our oral health.
“We are keen to support those who vape, or who are considering vaping, by helping them understand the possible risks and harms.
“By following our new ‘Escape the Vape’ Instagram page, young people, parents and carers can access trusted information, advice and support to help them make informed choices.”
View the new Instagram page to view and share information about vaping.
Geraldeen Irving, Director of Dentistry, NHS Lanarkshire, added: “Today is the return of World Oral Health Day, an annual event organised by the World Dental Federation (FDI) which aims to celebrate our mouths and raise global awareness of the importance of oral health.
“Being proud of our mouths can mean many different things to each of us. It can mean being proud of our ability to communicate with others, being able to enjoy a meal with friends, smiling at a loved one or even being comfortable with looking in a mirror.
“However, problems with the mouth can quickly affect our ability to do these things and can have a wider impact both on our general health and our mental wellbeing.
“Simple but effective ways of protecting our mouths and our wider health include brushing for two minutes, twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste, avoiding tobacco and vapes, reducing or cutting out sugar as well as eating a balanced diet.
“By doing these things every day, this can have a positive impact over time which can help us all have a ‘Happy Mouth’.”
