What is Oral Health?
Oral health means the health of people’s teeth, gums, supporting bone and soft tissues of the mouth, tongue and lips. Good oral health means people can eat, speak, and socialise without disease, pain, or embarrassment. Having poor oral health can worsen existing health conditions and impact on people’s mental wellbeing due to pain and problems in communicating or socialising.
Children may miss school and parents might have to take time off work for their child to attend the dentist or be admitted to hospital. Tooth decay can be prevented, yet it is the most common oral disease affecting children and young people in England and is now the most common reason for 5 – 9-year-olds to be admitted to hospital in England. You are more likely to have pain and get infections if you have poor oral health.
It’s important to eat a balanced diet, limit sugary drinks and foods and brush your teeth twice a day.
If you don’t already have an NHS dentist and need emergency treatment please call 111 for further advice and support.
Local services
MECC Gateway – Oral HealthThis site provides suggested conversation starters to have a brief intervention as well as information on how to brush correctly, the harms of sugar, how to do a mouth cancer check and other useful resources Find out more click hereSave MECC Gateway – Oral Health to favourites
Sunderland Health & Wellness HubLocal Health Services Find information about a lots of local health services including GP practices, dentists, pharmacies, hospitals and more. Find information about local health services including GP practices, dentists, pharmacies, hospitals and more.Save Sunderland Health & Wellness Hub to favourites