Keep smiling
- Keep foods and drinks containing sugars and acids to mealtimes to reduce the risk of both tooth decay and enamel erosion
- Brush for 2 minutes, twice a day; last thing at night and on one other occasion (usually after breakfast)
- Use fluoride toothpaste containing between 1,350 parts per million (ppm) and 1,500ppm of fluoride (check label)
- Use a pea sized amount of toothpaste. Spit out after brushing and don't rinse – if you rinse, the fluoride won't work as well
- Visit your dentist regularly (at least once a year)
- It is free to visit your dentist for a check-up if you are under 18 years old, or under 19 years old and in full-time education. You can find a dentist local to you, if you don’t already have one.
Rethink that fizzy drink!
Did you know that fizzy drinks are the largest source of sugar intake for 11-18 year olds? These drinks are just empty calories. Energy drinks also contain high amounts of caffeine.
Evidence suggests that excessive consumption of energy drinks is linked to negative health outcomes such as headaches, sleeping problems, irritation, and tiredness, and current rules require that energy drinks containing over 150mg of caffeine are labelled as 'not recommended for children’. Most retailers don’t sell energy drinks to under 16s.
Acidic foods and drinks, including fizzy drinks, can cause dental erosion. Plain water and milk are the best things to drink. Tea without sugar is also good for teeth, as it contains fluoride. It's recommended that you only drink fruit juice once a day with a main meal and leave a 30 minute gap before tooth brushing.