Across the UK, dentists and patients alike are celebrating the Oral Health Foundation’s National Smile Month campaign. The annual month of action is led by the British dental charity to help raise awareness about oral health and support communities to be happier and healthier.

Financial worries

A new report suggests that many people in the UK believe that dental care is too expensive for them – and as a result may be putting their smiles at risk. Research by the Oral Health Foundation shows more than one-in-three (36%) UK adults admit that they are sacrificing dental visits because they are worried about the cost. Just under two-in-three (59%) 18-24-year-olds also admit to they worry about their finances when it comes to looking after their mouth, teeth and gums.

Tooth care doesn’t cost the earth

Whether it’s replacing your toothbrush when the bristles become splayed, making sure you never run out of toothpaste or mouthwash, or keeping up with your regular dental visits – you don’t have to break the bank to take care of your smile.

During National Smile Month, you’ll be able to pick up lots of tips to save money while keeping your oral health in top shape.

Top tips for tooth care

• Maintaining a good daily oral health routine keeps your teeth healthy and often lowers the need for expensive treatment like fillings or tooth extractions.
• Attending regular dental appointments can actually save you money in the long run. This is because they will be able to spot any problems early – before they get worse. It’s much easier to foot the bill for a filling than root canal treatment.
• Consider joining a dental plan. Research shows that regular access to dentistry reduces the risk of oral disease and means you are more likely to have a healthy mouth.
• You know that you will need to change your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) every three months, and you can have a good guess at how much toothpaste your household will need over the course of a year. You can make some really good savings buying in bulk.
• Turning off the tap during brushing is really important. Not only does it cut water waste, but in turn, it will save you money. Over the course of their life, if the tap was left on while brushing, a family of four would waste more water than what it takes to fill an Olympic swimming pool – that’s about £8,000!
• Speak to your dentist about what toothpaste, mouthwash and interdental brushes you use – while many of the premium products have a number of benefits, they may not be useful to you. You might be able to cut some costs by switching to oral health products that are best for you.
• Investing in your oral health by buying an electric toothbrush. You can buy these for as little as £30 and they can make such a big difference to the health of your mouth. Electric brushes remove much more plaque than manual ones and can keep your mouth healthier. One of the best ways to save money on your mouth is to do everything you can to limit the amount of treatment you need to save it.

Here at Stella Maris, we have been helping people to enjoy happy, healthy smiles for over three decades. To enquire about becoming a member or to book an appointment with one of our dental experts, call now on 0121 588 4541.