Oral Health Foundation's posts
A toothbrush is for life, not just for Christmas (but it does make a great gift)
What are you hoping to find underneath your tree this Christmas? The latest piece of technology, a shiny new bike, perfume, something sparkly and expensive; or how about an electric toothbrush? Unlike a dog or puppy an electric toothbrush makes …
Continue ReadingProviding dental care to rural communities: Kasguma, Pakistan

There are many places around the world which have been unable to get even the most basic dental care, but what do you do when you have to provide support to over 250 thousand people over 40 miles of often …
Continue ReadingHow much sugar is in your foods and drinks?
Have you ever wondered how much sugar is in the foods and drinks we consume? Not many of us will take too much notice about the amount of sugars in our favourite snacks and teatime treats but maybe we should. …
Continue Reading14 Shocking things you need to know about dental health

14 Shocking things you need to know about dental health. We all know that brushing our teeth twice a day and regular visits to our dentists are the key to keeping our teeth healthy. While this is true, there are …
Continue ReadingInfographic – Caring for your teeth

We have put together the following infographic with some simple Do’s and Don’ts from our fully trained oral health experts which can help you to make the difference in the long term. Enjoy and look after your teeth! Click here …
Continue ReadingOthers play ketchup as tomato sauce is crowned king of the summer condiments

Votes are in and the British public have unanimously said we are most likely to reach for the red bottle at our barbecues this summer. Facing fierce opposition from other saucy summer stalwart’s, ketchup put the squeeze on the competition …
Continue ReadingTeens that skip breakfast are almost twice as likely to have bad breath

MISSING BREAKFAST has been identified as one of the most common causes of bad breath within teenagers, according to a new report. New research published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene has shown evidence that teens were almost twice …
Continue Reading8 Essential tips to look after your teeth this festival season
The long wait is over and this week 135,000 people will descend on Worthy Farm in Glastonbury to herald the real start of the British festival season, amongst all the partying it is important to look after yourself so we …
Continue ReadingSmell right and you could be lucky in love

Smelling right could the key to landing a potential partner, results of a new nationwide survey claim. In a new poll looking to expose the UK’s biggest turn-offs when looking for a new partner, bad breath came out on top …
Continue ReadingMum knows best when it comes looking after our teeth

Parents pass many pearls of wisdom throughout their lifetime but its mums who seem to take the lead on how we care for our teeth, according to a new poll. More than two in three (68 per cent) of us …
Continue ReadingE-cigarettes – where do we stand?

The blog entry was originally posted on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog Section The explosion of e-cigarettes to the market has seen health professionals race against time to discover whether their introduction has been for better or for worse. …
Continue ReadingWorld Earth Day and the secret life of a toothbrush

The blog entry was originally posted on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog Section Today (22 April) is World Earth Day – a day dedicated to both simple individual acts and larger organisational initiatives that reduce carbon emissions and support …
Continue ReadingWord of Mouth – April 2015

The blog entry was originally posted on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog Section Hello, and welcome to April’s Word of Mouth. As spring finally crops up and an extra hour lost, it can only mean that National Smile Month …
Continue ReadingJamie’s manifesto missing the mark
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The blog entry was originally posted on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog Section Letter in response to ‘Jamie Oliver calls for a Singapore-style ban on chewing gum in public‘, published in the Independent online, 13.04.2015. After reading the article …
Continue ReadingPutting on a smile for World Book Day

Today, everybody at the British Dental Health Foundation is celebrating World Book Day! As a charity, we are determined to improve the oral health of children not only across the United Kingdom but all over the world. We believe in …
Continue ReadingNo Smoking Day shines light on oral health

A new survey of 2000 smokers by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has found that less than one in two (44%) smokers in the UK are worried about the negative effects of smoking on their teeth, and only in one …
Continue ReadingWord of Mouth: January 2015

The blog entry was originally posted on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog Section. Hello, welcome and Happy New Year! Word of Mouth is back and we’re looking to start 2015 with a bang. In the first issue of the …
Continue ReadingDry January

The blog entry was originally posted on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog Section When I was asked if I was doing Dry January, the thought initially made me shudder. So called ‘dryathletes’ give up alcohol for a month and …
Continue ReadingI’m not seeing eye to Eye with a landmark

The blog entry was originally posted on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog Section It attracts more than three and a half million tourists every year, can carry a maximum of 800 people at a time and it lies within …
Continue Reading100% fruit juice ‘best for teeth’
The news release was originally posted on the British Dental Health Foundation News Section New research suggests 100 per cent fruit juice does not cause tooth decay in children. Data from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)1 in the …
Continue ReadingCharity Skydive: Take Two

The blog entry was originally posted on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog Section Two members of the British Dental Health Foundation are jumping 10,000 feet to raise money for charity. Communications Manager David Arnold and Website Officer Doychin Sakutov …
Continue ReadingCancer prompts marriage, travelling and thrill-seeking
Getting married, travelling to Australia and skydiving are the three most common things Brits would do if they were diagnosed with cancer. When asked to name three things they would add to a bucket list if they were told they …
Continue Reading“Two Minutes Twice a Day” with Janet Goodwin

It may be basic oral hygiene, but almost seven million of us in the UK regularly give cleaning our teeth the brush-off and admit to not brushing for two minutes twice a day. It’s hard to believe that taking four …
Continue ReadingWord of Mouth, Issue 23 – September 2014

The blog was released on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog section. Hello, and welcome to the very latest edition of Word of Mouth. I’m delighted to announce to registration process for Mouth Cancer Action Month is now open. Running …
Continue ReadingWE SURVIVED!

The blog was released on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog section. We ran, clambered, and swam our way through some of the most beautiful parts of Cardiff. We surfed the white water rapids, were faxed through rolls of car …
Continue ReadingOral health report encouraging, charity claims

The news was released on the British Dental Health Foundation News section The first national survey examining the oral health of three year old children has revealed more than one in 10 have signs of visible tooth decay. The report, …
Continue ReadingFive things about Boundaries for Life

The blog was released on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog section Last Saturday, I spent the day with Boundaries for Life at Lords Cricket Ground for the Royal London One-Day Cup Final. The group, who tours cricket grounds all …
Continue ReadingTaking to the skies for charity

The blog was released on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog section Two members of the British Dental Health Foundation are jumping 10,000 feet to raise money for charity. Communications Manager David Arnold and Website Officer Doychin Sakutov will be …
Continue ReadingWord of Mouth, Issue 22 – August 2014

The blog was released on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog section Hello, and welcome to August’s edition of Word of Mouth. August is traditionally a time where summer is in full swing and childrenand parents alike are readying themselves …
Continue ReadingStatins ‘help prevent tooth loss’

The article was released on the British Dental Health Foundation News section New research has discovered that people taking statins for general health problems were almost three times less likely to suffer from tooth loss compared to those not on …
Continue ReadingSmoke-free cars ‘a step in the right direction’

The blog entry was released on the British Dental Health Foundation Blog section The proposal to ban smoking in cars carrying children is a very welcome one indeed. As mouth cancer campaigners, the British Dental Health Foundation believe the consultation put forward …
Continue ReadingMediterranean diet reduces mouth cancer risk

The article was released on the British Dental Health Foundation News section A Mediterranean diet can halve the risk of developing mouth cancer, according to a new study. The results, published in the British Journal of Cancer1, discovered that patients who …
Continue ReadingTop sports stars encouraged to brush up ahead of busy summer

Written by Dr Nigel Carter OBE for the Blog section of the British Dental Health Foundation Website We’ve had Wimbledon, the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. With the return of the domestic football season, sports men and women across the …
Continue ReadingOral health deteriorates during hospital stays

New research suggests that oral health deteriorates during hospitalisation and is associated with an increased risk of malnutrition in older patients. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology1 provides the latest evidence that oral health is being overlooked in hospitals, …
Continue ReadingDiabetes increases risk of head and neck cancers

People with diabetes are at ‘significantly’ greater risk of developing head and neck cancer, according to new research. The study discovered that groups of patients with diabetes are almost 50 per cent more likely to develop the disease compared to …
Continue ReadingTooth decay – what is the root of the problem?

It was front page news in the Sunday Times, and the story continues to rumble on. The report published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre that revealed more than 25,000 children aged five to nine were admitted to …
Continue ReadingBiggest campaign on record leaves charity smiling

Written by Dr Nigel Carter OBE The UK’S largest and longest running campaign to promote the benefits of a healthy mouth has been an overwhelming success. More than 3,000 organisations took part in National Smile Month 2014, organised by the British …
Continue ReadingNational Smile Month in Numbers

With National Smile Month coming to an end for yet another year, we have taken a look at its impact and success. The charitable campaign in 2014 was arguable National Smile Month’s biggest and best yet, and after 38 years …
Continue ReadingOral bacteria ‘irritates IBD’

Oral bacteria could have a role to play in the flare-up of irritable bowel disease, new research suggests. The findings, presented in the journal Oral Diseases, discovered that colitis, also known as irritable bowel disease (IBD), was aggravated by the presence …
Continue ReadingOne in four Brits unhappy with their smile
Smile and the world smiles with you as the saying goes, but for more than a quarter of Brits who are unhappy with their smiles this may not be the case. New research by the British Dental Health Foundation and …
Continue ReadingDental phobia still rife throughout the population

People afraid of the dentist are being reminded that dentistry has significantly changed after an alarming number of Brits say a visit is scarier than 10 of the UK’s most common phobias, a new survey reveals. Oral health charity the …
Continue ReadingNation’s eating habits leave oral health charity plenty to chew on

A NEW SURVEY looking into some of the nation’s dietary habits has left one oral health charity calling for people to think about the impact their diet can have on their oral health. The call comes as the findings showed …
Continue ReadingWord of Mouth, Issue 20 – June 2014

Hello, and a warm welcome to the June edition of Word of Mouth. National Smile Month – our campaign to dramatically improve oral health in the UK – comes to a close today for yet another year. And what a …
Continue ReadingSmile…for the end of sugar

Sugar is in the news again with a US movie released May 14 called “Fed Up” which highlights the damaging effects that sugar has on our health. This month is also national smile month which aims to improve the oral …
Continue ReadingSaliva ‘could be power source’
The story is published on British Dental Health Foundation News -> Saliva ‘could be power source’ Scientists could have found a new renewable energy source – and they haven’t had to look further than our mouths. Engineers at Penn state University …
Continue ReadingWord of Mouth, Issue 18 – April 2014

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of Word of Mouth – April 2014. Now that the clocks have gone forward there is certainly a spring in the air. National Smile Month is now only a matter of weeks away, and …
Continue ReadingGo Social for National Smile Month!

6½ Great Tips To Make Us Smile Online. 1. Get Online. Whether you’re on a computer, mobile phone or table, social media is only a click away. Get started with the two most popular sites – Twitter and Facebook. It’s so simple. You …
Continue ReadingWord of Mouth, Issue 17 – March 2014

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of Word of Mouth. Enjoy the magazine, and we will see you in April. +1097
Continue ReadingBritish Dental Health Foundation story

As one of the world’s leading oral health charities, for more than 40 years the British Dental Health Foundation has strived to improve people’s lives by reducing the harm caused by oral diseases – many of which are entirely preventable. …
Continue ReadingWhat problems could my dental health cause?

There are new findings which support something that dental professionals have suspected for a long time – infections in the mouth can cause problems in other parts of the body. Problems which may be caused or made worse by poor …
Continue ReadingDentistry Show 2014

Written by Amanda Oakey On Friday 28 February and Saturday 1 March the Foundation will once again roll into the NEC in Birmingham for the Dentistry Show. If you come and visit us at stand H102, you will definitely leave …
Continue ReadingYour Oral Health Valentine

Men are from Mars and women are from Venus – that’s the saying we often utter to mark out the differences between the two sexes. For centuries, scientists and scholars have tried to offer some answers to this mystifying enigma …
Continue ReadingA shot in the arm for the HPV jab

It is forecast to be the leading cause of a cancer more prevalent than testicular and cervical cancer combined. In the UK one in five cases of mouth cancer are associated with this virus, yet the general awareness surrounding it …
Continue ReadingNew group to tackle obesity is sweet as sugar

A new group formed to tackle and reverse the growing obesity epidemic has been welcomed by the British Dental Health Foundation. Action on Sugar, formed of a number of leading worldwide experts, hopes to educate the public on the dangers …
Continue ReadingHospital food must be made to meet standards

Most people believe that hospital food is poor quality – even those with no experience of it themselves, and regardless of whether their criticisms are fair in individual cases. Three of the complaints we hear most often from patients is …
Continue ReadingYour guide to a dentally friendly Christmas stocking

For many people, particularly children, the perfect Christmas stocking is one consisting of chocolate, sweets and other magnificent sugary treats. But while it may be tempting to cram in the selection boxes, it’s a ploy that could give their teeth …
Continue ReadingSix health problems linked to bad oral hygiene

Are you one of those people that fall victim to laziness when it comes to oral hygiene? Maybe you’ve had a long, hard day and just don’t feel like brushing your teeth before going to bed. Or perhaps you don’t …
Continue ReadingA deadly cocktail – tobacco and alcohol

Through many years of publicity and awareness-raising, we all know that smoking and drinking are bad for us. Yet, despite the known dangers, both practices continue to hold high popularity. Over the last six weeks, national campaigns such as Stoptober, …
Continue ReadingThe Grim Reality of Oral Cancer in Africa
Mouth cancer (also known as oral cancer) is when an abnormal group of cells, known as a tumour, develops within the tissues of the tongue, mouth, lips or gums. As a dental practitioner working out in Africa for much of …
Continue ReadingTackling alcohol misuse: why the dental team should help

The number of alcohol consumers in the UK has increased substantially over the last century. Around 40 million British adults regularly consume alcoholic drinks and while many do so moderately, about 25% exceed Department of Health guidelines. For men, this …
Continue ReadingOral cancer: My perspective

As a PhD student researching cancer, I have heard time and time again the latest cancer statistics and the latest idea of how to ‘beat’ cancer. However, it never crossed my mind that I, a healthy and happy 25 year …
Continue ReadingThinking about the unthinkable
If you are unable to work because you suffer from an illness, disease or have an accident, it is important that you ensure your income is covered to protect your lifestyle and your family. Throughout your life, your expenses tend …
Continue ReadingHow you can help to save lives with mouth cancer screenings
Nearly 60 per cent of patients still don’t know that their dentist can check them for mouth cancer at their dental examination1. Denplan, the main sponsor of Mouth Cancer Action Month, continues to rally for free screenings in the dental …
Continue ReadingMouth Cancer Action Month Launch

Yesterday (October 22), at the House of Commons, we had the Parliamentary Launch for November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month – and what a delightful event it turned out to be! Taking place in the Members’ Dining Room, we had a …
Continue ReadingADG launches free CPD module for dental health teams

With 7,698 new cases of mouth cancer annually and death rates remaining consistently high, we are proud that the Association of Dental Groups (ADG), which represents UK corporate dental groups, is able to support the British Dental Health Foundation during …
Continue ReadingHead and Neck Cancer: Improving Early Diagnosis
Today in the UK, mouth cancer kills one person every five hours. Incidences of the disease have reached in excess of 7,500 people a year, doubling within the last decade and without early detection, half of these will not survive. …
Continue ReadingShowcasing a campaign
Organised by the British Dental Health Foundation, Mouth Cancer Action Month runs throughout November each year and aims to raise awareness of the disease including common risk factors and symptoms. At Showcase 2013, it’s the ideal time to find out more about …
Continue ReadingThe perfect pack-up
Keeping your children’s lunchbox healthy and imaginative can be quite a challenge. Although the Government has considered banning packed lunches, with the right balance they can still pack a healthy punch. As the new school term starts, we’ve put together …
Continue ReadingA clearer future for tooth whitening
When the European Council’s directive on tooth whitening was released at the end of October, clarifying that tooth whitening could only be carried out under by or under the supervision of a dentist and that the supply of tooth whitening …
Continue ReadingSummer foods vs good oral health – not always a breeze
By Dr Nigel Carter OBE As a nation, we might rejoice when the summer season comes around, yet millions of holiday-makers and picnic-goers could be putting their oral health at greater risk with their summer diet. Consuming too many acidic …
Continue ReadingGovernment fails to reduce mouth cancer cases
Following last week’s announcement that plain packaging would be put on hold, the decision to shelve minimum alcohol pricing has been met with dismay by many leading health experts. While Minister Jeremy Browne has said the policy would remain under …
Continue ReadingWhy the fizzy drinks tax should be implemented
Drinks packed with sugar have long been problematic to the health of the nation. The Foundation has supported a number of policies designed to curb sugary drinks consumption, including a report backed by more than 60 organisations calling for a …
Continue ReadingImproving our oral health: the oral healthcare programme
Written by Louisa Rowntree Wrigley’s Extra is proud to, once again, be a Platinum sponsor of National Smile Month in 2013. Wrigley is committed to improving oral care understanding across the UK through its Oral Healthcare Programme which is why we work …
Continue ReadingEight top tips for terrific teeth
National Smile Month is the perfect opportunity for you to pay extra attention to the importance of oral health. With this in mind, Karen Coates, Dental Advisor at the British Dental Health Foundation, has eight top tips for terrific teeth. …
Continue ReadingHow to keep your teeth for life

Dental Implants Elmsleigh have starting to increase the awareness of the general public with their new graphic, ‘How To Keep Your Teeth For Life’. It’s a straight forward guide to all things teeth, giving you facts and tips on things …
Continue ReadingSmile Success
Written by Dr Jane Butterworth We work as a close team priding ourselves in providing the highest standard of dental care. We maintain a strong preventative ethos, enabling patients to avoid future dental problems through a range of measures such as …
Continue ReadingForget Wobbly Bits – What Brits Are Really Scared Of Flashing This Summer Is Their Smile!
Written by: Nadia Niazi Research released today by dental aligner brand Invisalign suggests Brits should ditch the summer diet plan and invest in a ‘smile’ plan. The National Smile Month sponsor discovered it’s not wobbly body parts gnawing at a …
Continue ReadingMillions in danger through illegal tooth whitening

20 million people in the UK are leaving themselves open to illegal and potentially harmful tooth- whitening. New survey data1 suggests more than one in four people (28 per cent) would not go to the dentist for their tooth whitening …
Continue ReadingSpecial Olympics Special Smiles
I first heard about Special Olympics International and its British contingent, Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB) a couple of years ago through conversation with a member of their Board; the eminent humanitarian Mr Philip Nathan, MBE, Board member of MedicAlert …
Continue ReadingDental sedation
Written by Dr. Daz Singh National Smile Month takes place 20 May – 20 June. It is an opportunity to educate and raise awareness of oral health matters by promoting three of the simplest messages: that people should brush their …
Continue ReadingWhat to do when you lose a tooth

Did you know that nearly three in every four adults in the UK have lost a tooth? And although on the odd occasion this can be as the result of a ‘freak’ accident (a sporting injury, or a particularly tough …
Continue ReadingSchool meals – why are they so important?
I remember when I was at school the content of my packed lunch wasn’t an issue. The only issue I had was getting more into it, and I’m not talking about apples, bananas or pears. I also remember the dinner …
Continue ReadingSurely people don’t die from a toothache?
Written by Mark Topley Dying from simple dental decay might seem impossible, but on the eve of World Oral Health Day Mark Topley points out that – in some parts of the world – it is all too common. I run …
Continue ReadingMen – Brush up to keep it up
Severe gum disease in men more than doubles their risk of suffering from erectile dysfunction, according to a new study. In the study more than half (53 per cent) of men had severe gum disease in the group with erectile …
Continue ReadingLove Your Smile

Love your smile……..well ,what’s NOT to love? But then I am entirely biased as I love seeing people smile! As a Dental Hygienist for 18 years now, my job is to treat and educate patients to care for their mouths …
Continue ReadingMeet the helpline
Director of Operations for the Foundation, Sharon Broom, emphasises that working for the Helpline is an opportunity for dental nurses to continue to use their dental skills but in a non-clinical environment. Sharon said: “It is a good career progression …
Continue ReadingHealthy Body: from a Dental Care Professional’s perspective
Have you ever heard the expression, “Your mouth is a mirror of your insides”? For some people there is strong evidence to suggest that the above statement may be true and that visible problems in the oral cavity could possibly …
Continue ReadingWhat UK can learn from the Smokeless Tobacco Damage in India
Written by Dr Priya Patel The wide popularity of chewing tobacco has raised many alarming concerns for health experts in most countries around the world. According to recent health studies the number of oral cancer patients is increasing day by …
Continue ReadingA dangerous habit: tobacco chewing in India

Dental Principal of Village Dental Practice, Dr. Priya Patel, examines the increasing ‘epidemic’ threat of smokeless tobacco in India, along with the dangers of continual use. Innumerable Indians are addicted to nicotine in various forms. Some smoke, while others chew …
Continue ReadingMouth Cancer Action Month
By Simplyhealth UK We are excited to be sponsoring Mouth Cancer Action Month alongside our colleagues at Denplan. The campaign is running throughout November to help people be better informed about mouth cancer, its symptoms and what can be done …
Continue ReadingLook out for free mouth cancer screenings at local dental practices from Denplan dentists

By Dr. Henry Clover, Deputy Chief Dental Officer, Denplan Only 13 per cent of people ask their dentist to check them for signs of mouth cancer and shockingly almost the same amount of people have never heard of the disease1. …
Continue ReadingGetting My Teeth into Europe – The Better Oral Health European Oral Platform

I was fortunate enough to recently attend the Better Oral Health European Platform – Are we taking enough care of our teeth? The case for a European oral health policy. This also launched The State of Oral Health in Europe …
Continue ReadingBack to school checklist
With the summer holidays over for yet another year, parents up and down the country have been preparing to get their children ready for going back to school. Having to prepare school uniforms, shoes, sports kits, school bags, stationary and …
Continue ReadingTime to say “Cherry-Oh” to sugary fruits?
Working as an oral health educator it’s a question that comes up time and time again…. “Is fruit bad for me? It’s full of sugar!” I seem to have this put to me a lot more over the last few …
Continue ReadingHow to keep that winning smile
Olympic Blog – How to Keep that Winning Smile With London 2012 well under way, everyone is very excited about sports and all the medals Team GB is winning. Hopefully the whole Olympic atmosphere will result in a renewed enthusiasm …
Continue ReadingBritish Dental Health Foundation

The British Dental Health Foundation is an independent charity that along with our global arm, the International Dental Health Foundation, is dedicated to improving the oral health of the public by providing free and impartial dental advice, by running educational …
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