National Smile Month is an annual campaign organised by the Oral Health Foundation, dedicated to promoting good oral health practices and spreading smiles across the nation. This month-long initiative which runs from May 15th – June 15th this year, serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of maintaining oral health for overall well-being.
The origins of National Smile Month
The first National Smile Month was held in the UK in 1977, when it was known as Smile ‘77. In those days only one in three people over the age of 16 had their own natural teeth so you can see why they thought there was a need for this type of event! Back then, people viewed having dentures as simply part of the natural progression of ageing and they did not realise that keeping hold of your own teeth was a viable alternative. Communication between dental teams and their patients at the time was also pretty poor, so the campaign was designed to help break down the barriers and get the population a little bit more motivated to start thinking about their oral health. Smile ’77 was also one of the first campaigns to introduce the concept of ‘preventative dentistry’ – something we bang on about a lot here at the Wellesley. It’s not that we don’t want to see you or help with your dental problems, but we do know that a lot of literal pain can be avoided if you just stick to a decent routine. This is why we love National Smile Month, as it is all about creating awareness and promoting self care.
Over the years, Smile ’77 evolved into National Smile Week, which in 2006 became National Smile Month. Their healthy educational approach has dramatically changed the nation’s attitude towards their oral health. More people nowadays are keeping hold of their teeth and a preventative approach is seen as the norm. So why do we still need National Smile Month?
It’s simple, we all know what we SHOULD be doing to look after our teeth but we don’t always DO all those things. Holding a month-long event like National Smile Month helps people to refocus and set new intentions to better look after their oral health by examining the importance of maintaining a healthy smile and reinstating a good routine. Here are a few more reasons why this campaigning is just as vital today as it was back in ‘77:
a) A Preventative Approach: National Smile Month emphasises preventive oral health measures, encouraging individuals to adopt proactive habits such as regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. By promoting preventative care, the campaign helps reduce incidences of dental issues and their associated complications, nationwide.
b) Holistic Wellbeing: Oral health is closely linked to overall wellbeing. Poor oral hygiene can lead to various health problems, including gum disease, tooth decay, and even systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease. National Smile Month educates people about the vital connection between oral health and overall health, further encouraging them to prioritise their smiles.
c) Education and Awareness: The campaign serves as an educational platform, providing valuable information and resources on oral health practices, dietary choices, and the impact of lifestyle habits on dental wellbeing. By sharing accurate information, National Smile Month empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their oral health.
Weekly Themes of National Smile Month
The overarching theme of National Smile Month this year is ‘Brush for Better Health.’ In addition to this, every National Smile Month incorporates engaging weekly themes, ensuring that the campaign covers a wide range of oral health topics. The themes encourage individuals to focus on specific aspects of their oral care. The five weekly themes for National Smile Month 2023 are:
1) The Mouth: The first week looks at all the changes your mouth will go through across your lifetime.
2) The Daily Routine: This week examines what a daily oral health routine should look like and what you can do to protect your oral health, alongside tooth brushing.
3) Systemic Diseases: New findings support something that dental professionals have suspected for a long time – that infections in the mouth can be linked with problems in other parts of the body.
Some of the problems that may be caused or made worse by poor oral health include:
- Heart disease
- Strokes
- Diabetes
- Giving birth to a premature or low-birth-weight baby
- Respiratory (lung) disease
- Dementia
This week investigates some all of these linked diseases in more detail, sharing the signs to look out for and how you can prevent them from happening.
4) The Environment: Takes a look at environmental factors that impact our oral health and our care routine, including how toothbrushes and other oral health products are made, transported and recycled.
5) Technology: In the final week of National Smile Month, they examine how technology can help you improve the health of your mouth. From electric toothbrushes removing more plaque, to mobile apps motivating children to brush more often – you will be able to learn the true value of investing in technology and the benefits different gadgets and tools can have for your smile. In addition to this they also take a look at the influence of technology on the dental practice. Compared to when Smile ’77 took place, modern dentistry is almost entirely pain free, thanks to the inventions and innovations that help restore and maintain a healthy mouth.
How to Get Involved with National Smile Month
National Smile Month encourages active participation from individuals, communities, and oral health professionals alike. The Oral Health Foundation offers a number of ways for people to participate, here’s how to get involved this year:
Send a letter to the Tooth Fairy
For children aged 12 and under. This activity can be completed by individuals or classes of children. Ask them to write a letter to the Tooth Fairy, and explain how they are taking care of their teeth. Encourage them to be fully creative and come up with the letter themselves or download a few templates from their website.
Take a Smiley Selfie
Take a selfie to show your support for improving awareness of oral health. Share it on social media with the hashtag #mysmileyselfie – the best 3 entries will win 4 tickets to local comedy shows. That’s something to smile about!
Dental Buddy
Download some dental buddy resources to teach children about oral health.
Daily health checklist
Download a checklist to stay on top of your health even in busy or stressful times.
The Great British Brushathon
Unfortunately we’ve already missed the Great British Brushathon as it was on the 15th of May but why not create your own communal brushing event?
Nominate a Smile
During National Smile Month you also have the opportunity to nominate someone who always raises a smile to receive the recognition they deserve. They will be selecting a winner each week. You can find out more about last year’s winners, and how to enter, on their website.
National Smile Month is an exceptional campaign that encourages individuals to prioritise their oral health and spread smiles across the nation. By understanding the campaign’s history, recognising its importance, and actively participating in the weekly themes, individuals can contribute to creating a society that values oral health. By promoting preventive care, raising awareness, and engaging in various activities, we can collectively work towards brighter smiles and healthier lives during National Smile Month and beyond.
Over the last 47 years, the oral health of people in the UK has dramatically improved and this is due in part to raising awareness, improving relationships between patients and healthcare professionals and an increase in preventative dentistry.. Twice-daily brushing is more commonplace and our awareness of the impact of sugar and other detrimental factors such as smoking is far greater. More people realise the benefits of regular dental visits and value the health of their mouth, but it is still very important to keep on raising awareness and reminding people not to drop the ball when it comes to practising a good oral health routine.
A smile is contagious, and by actively participating in National Smile Month, you can positively impact not only your own oral health but also inspire those around you to do the same. So let’s join hands, spread the word, and celebrate National Smile Month to create a lasting impact on oral health and bring more smiles to the nation.
