Dental Helpline Expand Below are links to download a poster and a business card advertising the Dental Helpline service. We would be grateful if you could print these off and display them in your dental practice or workplace. Dental Helpline Poster - The Dental Helpline offers professional, impartial, advice and support. Calls made on a landline are charged at your local rate. [Download the Dental Helpline Poster]
Denture Adhesives Guidelines Expand By 2050 there are expected to be two billion people aged 60 years or older. This is more than double today’s figure. The older you are, the more likely you are to have lost all, or nearly all, your natural teeth. Research shows that around the world there are almost no guidelines on the proper use of denture adhesives by people who wear full dentures. This means denture wearers can be left without any guidance on how best to use denture adhesives. Also, the advice on the type of adhesive to use, how to apply it, how much to use, how often to use it and how to remove it varies tremendously. Misusing or overusing adhesive may have consequences – but making the best use of it can improve quality of life, quality of diet and overall wellbeing for full-denture wearers. Therefore, we have developed guidelines to guide dental health care professionals, caregivers and patients on the optimal use of denture adhesive creams. These are supported by best evidence and based on consensus from key international experts. Key findings The panel explored a number of issues about denture adhesives. Here are some of the conclusions: Patient satisfaction has become a decisive factor for the overall success of prosthodontic treatment in full-denture wearers. Denture adhesives can enhance the retention of, and reduce food accumulation beneath, well-fitting complete dentures. Denture adhesives can be beneficial to the patient. They may enhance comfort, provide psychological satisfaction, increase confidence and thus wellbeing, while increasing retention and stability, and improving function. The effectiveness of denture adhesives cannot compensate for significant denture deficiencies. Dental professionals should provide guidance and instructions to the patient on the correct application and use of the adhesive, and on removing it and cleaning the denture. The optimum time to advise on the use of an adhesive varies between patients. For well-fitting dentures it might occur at a review appointment, or for patients finding problems with compliance at the time of fitting or soon after. Funding for the development of these guidelines was provided by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare to the Oral Health Foundation. No editorial control, apart from ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory considerations/requirements, has been exercised by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. Summary of guidelines The guidelines are supported by best evidence and based on consensus from key international experts. Four key steps to optimal denture care, summarised in the below and available in full here, were concluded: Make sure your denture is clean and dry. Put a small amount of denture adhesive cream onto it (you should only need to do this once a day). Put the denture into your mouth and firmly close the mouth for a couple of seconds. If the adhesive cream overflows you have used too much. Remove any spare adhesive, don’t swallow it. Don’t eat or drink anything for 5 minutes. Before you sleep, take your denture out. Clean the denture and the inside of your mouth thoroughly to remove any adhesive. Ask your dentist for a regular appointment so they can check your mouth and dentures. Resources Guidelines for the Use of Denture Adhesives and their benefits for Oral and General Health (PDF 2MB) Infographic: Simple steps on how to apply a Denture Adhesive (PDF 2MB) Useful information Denture cleaning guidelines Learn more about dentures Q&A on denture cleaning Find out about denture stomatitis Acknowledgements Funding for the development of these guidelines was provided by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare to the Oral Health Foundation. No editorial control, apart from ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory considerations/requirements, has been exercised by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.
Denture Care Guidelines Expand By 2050 there are expected to be two billion people aged 60 or older. This is more than double today’s figure. The older you are, the more likely you are to have lost all, or nearly all, your natural teeth. This means the demand for full or partial dentures is expected to increase. A comprehensive review of scientific and evidence-based research has found contradictory guidance and a lack of consistency in the recommendations for cleaning and maintaining dentures. We have therefore developed global guidelines on optimal denture care, so that correct advice can be given to patients. Key findings The panel explored a number of issues, including; the challenges denture-wearers face, problems with current guidance and the evidence which is available. Here are some of the conclusions: A lack of denture cleanliness can lead to poorer oral health, as well as general health problems. The general cleaning habits of denture-wearers remains poor. People with dentures are using a variety of ways to clean their dentures. This ranges from soap and water to toothpastes, bleaches and commercial products. Recommendations to both dental professionals and denture wearers vary between countries and within a country, and usually rely on personal experience. Also, opinion leaders provide contradictory guidance for cleaning and maintaining dentures. Funding for the development of these guidelines was provided by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare to the Oral Health Foundation. No editorial control, apart from ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory considerations/requirements, has been exercised by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. Summary of guidelines The guidelines are supported by best evidence and based on consensus from key international experts. Four key steps to optimal denture care, summarised in the below graphic and available in full here, were concluded: Daily cleaning of the dentures using mechanical action – brushing with a toothbrush or denture brush and an effective, non-abrasive denture cleanser (no dentifrice). Daily soaking in a denture-cleansing solution – this seems to deliver extra chemical breakdown of the remaining plaque and some level of disinfection of the denture. Denture-cleansing solutions should only be used outside the mouth, and denture wearers should strictly follow the manufacturers’ guidelines. Denture wearers should not keep their dentures in the mouth overnight, unless there are specific reasons for keeping them in. This guideline is even more important for people at a higher risk of developing stomatitis and for frail or institutionalised older people. Soaking in a denture cleanser solution after mechanical cleaning seems to be beneficial for preventing denture stomatitis and the potential risk of pneumonia events in these groups of people. All patients who wear removable dentures should be enrolled into a regular recall and maintenance programme with their dental professional. Resources Denture Care Guidelines (pdf 352KB) Denture Care Infographic (pdf 203KB) Useful information Learn more about dentures Q&A on denture cleaning Find out about denture stomatitis Acknowledgements Funding for the development of these guidelines was provided by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare to the Oral Health Foundation. No editorial control, apart from ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory considerations/requirements, has been exercised by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.
Why are my gums bleeding? Expand Gums bleed when they are irritated and inflamed which is not considered normal. This is due to plaque (a soft film of bacteria) being left on the teeth which causes inflammation called gingivitis and if not addressed can develop into gum disease. Over time, if not cleaned off through daily brushing and interdental cleaning, the plaque can turn into a hard deposit called tartar or calculus which will require professional scaling by your dentist or hygienist to remove it. It is important even if your gums bleed they are still brushed to keep the mouth clean otherwise the bacteria build up in the mouth will make gum inflammation worse. After a few days of thorough cleaning, your gums should stop bleeding. If this does not happen you will need to ask the advice of your dental team as you may need professional cleaning. A good oral care regime should be able to prevent your gums from bleeding if done correctly. We would always suggest that you have regular examinations at your dentist. This can help diagnose and treat anything unusual in your mouth so you get the correct care and advice. You may have to use a softer brush whilst the gums are inflamed until they become healthier. It is also important to clean in between teeth daily using interdental brushes or floss. Smoking can cover up a gum problem as it restricts the blood flow to the mouth. If you have recently given up smoking this could allow the gums to get a better circulation and therefore start to bleed. More information: Gum disease Caring for my teeth Smoking and my oral health Dental Helpline
What should I do if I knock my tooth out? Expand If the tooth is clean and if you can, try to put the tooth back in. Hold the tooth by the crown and place it firmly back into the socket. Bite on a clean handkerchief for 15-20 minutes. If you cannot get the tooth back in, it has more chance of survival if you can keep the tooth in your cheek until you can get to an emergency dentist. If this is not possible, keep the tooth in some milk. The tooth needs to be replaced ideally within 30 minutes, so seek dental attention promptly. More information: Knocked out teeth Dental Helpline
I have sensitive teeth. What can I do? Expand You can try using a toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth. Rub a little toothpaste into the sensitive area when going to bed as it helps protect the surface. Try to avoid strongly acidic foods and drinks and wait at least an hour after eating before brushing as this could cause even more sensitivity. Grinding your teeth can also increase sensitivity and a mouth guard maybe necessary. If the pain continues, speak to your dental team and they may be able to offer further care to reduce your symptoms. A number of things can cause sensitivity and your dental team will be able to identify these and advise the correct care. More information: Sensitive teeth Approved products Dental Helpline
Why does my mouth feel dry? Expand Dry mouth can be a symptom of many different problems and can happen as you get older. Quite often it is a side effect of medication - especially heart, blood pressure and depression tablets. If you have a dry mouth, this can be very uncomfortable and it can make eating certain foods very difficult. Many prescription medicines can cause a dry mouth, if you are taking any regular medication from your doctor, it may be worth discussing these symptoms with him to see if there is an alternative that does not have the same side effects. If you think that you are suffering with a dry mouth, you should discuss this with your dental team. They may recommend one of the many products that are available over-the-counter to help to alleviate this problem. More information: Dry mouth Medical conditions and oral health Dental Helpline
Why am I in pain after a tooth extraction? Expand Generally any discomfort after an extraction does not last for long and can easily be controlled by the painkillers you would normally take for a headache. If it lasts any longer than 24 hours you should go back to your dental team for advice. Sometimes pain may occur 3-4 days after the extraction when a blood clot has not formed properly in the extraction socket and the bone becomes infected. You will need to go back to your dentist, who will dress the socket for you. More information: What to do after a tooth extraction Dental Helpline
My face is swollen, what should I do? Expand If you have facial swelling, this could indicate that you have an infection. You will need to see a dentist as you may need some antibiotics to relieve the symptoms of this infection. If you are in the UK and do not have a regular dentist, you can find the details of the nearest emergency dentist by contacting the NHS 111 service. More information: NHS 111 Dental Helpline
How do I find a dentist? Expand If you are in the UK, you can either telephone the NHS Find a Dentist service 0300 311 2233 or go to www.nhs.uk and under services a post code search can reveal the nearest dentist that is taking on new patients. More information: NHS Find a Dentist Dental Helpline
What will happen at my first visit to a dentist? Expand At your initial visit, your new dentist will take all of your personal details, such as your address and date of birth. They will also take a full medical history to make sure that they are fully aware of any illnesses or medication that you may be taking and they can then treat you safely. The dentist will then carry out a full check-up and chart all of your teeth and previous treatment, they will also assess the condition of your gums and your general oral hygiene. They may also take diagnostic x-rays. If you need to have any dental treatment, your dentist will discuss this with you. They may give you a treatment plan and tell you what the cost is going to be. You can make any further appointments as necessary. More information: Visiting the dental hygienist Dental x-rays Dental Helpline
What are the NHS dental charges? Expand In the UK, dentistry is one of the few National Health Service (NHS) services where you have to pay a contribution towards the cost of your care. This means that there are now three standard charges for the NHS for dental treatment. This will help to make the NHS system easier and more accessible for patients.There is one charge for a course of treatment under the NHS, the cost will vary depending on what dental treatment you require. Currently these charges are: Band Treatment England Wales One Examination, diagnosis, x-rays, scale & polish. When you need to see a dentist immediately, usually for extreme pain, swelling or excessive bleeding. £21.60 £14.00 Two All treatments in band one plus additional procedures such as fillings, root canal treatment, relining of dentures and extractions. £59.10 £45.00 Three All treatments in bands one and two plus more complex procedures such as crowns, dentures or bridges. £256.50 £195.00 Please note that this information has been taken from the Department of Health and the information is provided as a guideline only. Your dentist will assess your individual needs to see if you fit the criteria for the above treatments. Scotland and Northern Ireland are still operating under the old NHS system with no plans to change at present; some of the charges are laid out below as a guide line only as prices will vary. The maximum charge for a single course of NHS treatment in Scotland and Northern Ireland is £390; some treatments will require prior approval before a dentist can commence work on you. More information: Dental Helpline
How do I make a complaint about my dental care? Expand If you are unhappy with your dental treatment, the first thing to do is always approach your dental practice with your concerns. This can either be done by telephone or letter. Explain your concerns and what you would like the ideal solution to be. In most cases you will be able to solve the problem together with your dentist. If you are still not happy, you might need to seek a second opinion from another dentist for which they may make a charge. There are advice numbers for complaints in the UK: telephone 03000 683 000 or for private complaints call 0208 253 0800. In severe cases where you feel the dentist has been negligent the General Dental Council, the dentist's regulatory body may accept a complaint. They can be contacted through www.gdc-uk.org or by calling 0207 167 6000. More information: Dental Helpline General Dental Council
I am thinking about getting treatment overseas. Is this a good idea? Expand Before embarking on a trip abroad for dental treatment there are a number of factors to consider. It is important to do your research and familiarise yourself with the process in the country you are looking at having the treatment, as well as speaking about it with your dentist here first. The things you need to think about are: Complications Many people who are going abroad are wanting more advanced (higher cost) procedures which are more likely to result in complications. No matter how skilled the clinician, there is always a risk of treatment failure. If complications do arise once you are home, it will not always be easy to return to the clinic which provided the treatment, especially if there is an infection. Your insurance may not cover the travel costs involved in returning to the clinic, especially if you wish to return with a partner or friend. Fine-tuning Procedures such as crowns, bridges, veneers and implants are not easily carried out rapidly. Expertise and time are essential to achieving a good outcome. For instance, to achieve a perfect bite, the patient can require repeat visits and a series of adjustments. This may not be possible if the dentist is abroad. Language barriers It is always important that your clinician can communicate with you and explain the treatment provided and recommendations for post-surgical care. This is always more difficult when English is not the first language of your practitioner. He or she needs to know exactly what you want and you need to know exactly what you are getting. Problems and complaints often arise from communication issues. Varying standards and approaches Different countries have a different concept of aesthetic beauty. For example, in the USA very white and even teeth are thought attractive, whereas in the UK we prefer a more natural smile. There are also varying clinical standards and while in the UK, dentists are more likely to save a tooth, in some countries, dentists may be more ready to extract. Not all countries have the same high standards of cross-infection control, and in developing countries there can be a higher incidence of infectious diseases. Calculate costs Many of those considering travelling abroad believe that private dentistry in the UK is not affordable. However, sometimes this is based on an assumption. It is advisable to talk to a number of dental practices, check prices and ascertain if they have a payment plan in place. This can help spread treatment costs, making treatment both affordable and accessible. More information: Dental Helpline Paying for dental treatment General Dental Council: Guide to dental treatment abroad
I want to fundraise for the Oral Health Foundation. How do I get involved? Expand Start by taking a look at our top fundraising ideas to help inspire you to get involved. If you’re not sure what you want to do, send us a message and we’ll be in touch to help you find the fundraising activity that’s perfect for you. Take a look at what else is going on to see if you can attach your fundraising event to a certain cause. Perhaps you can arrange your event during National Smile Month or Mouth Cancer Action Month? You could even look at calendar events like World Oral Health Day as inspiration of when to hold your event. Next you should think about what you would like to raise money for. Take a look at our range of appeals to see what we're raising money for at this time. Once you have decided what you are doing, when and for which cause, go to our create a fundraising page. This page will allow you to enter all your event details and share it with your friends and family so they can donate and support you. You can even upload photos and videos of your journey along the way! If you need anymore help, check out our planning your event page. We are also on hand to offer support and advice to help you to your fundraising goals. Simply contact our press team. More information: Our appeals Create a fundraising page Planning your event Contact our press team
How do I make a donation? Expand You can send us your donations in various ways, whichever is most convenient for you. The safest and quickest way you can send us your money is online through our donations portal. Simply select which appeal you would like to donate to and enter the amount you have raised for us. You can also pay in your money offline too. If you have collected money through a sponsorship form or a fundraising event, you can either send us your card details via our donation form, or send us a cheque with our paying in slip. Both of these forms (links below) will guide you about where to send your donations. For your security, please do not send us cash in the post. Finally, you can issue a bank transfer. If you would like to do this, contact our team and we will guide you through this process. More information: Donate to the Oral Health Foundation Donate to our other causes Donation form Paying in slip Payroll giving
How will you use the funds I've raised? Expand You can be assured that your fundraising goes to exactly where you want it to. As a charity we are entirely open and honest with our intentions and show you what your fundraising goes towards. Your donations make a huge difference in creating healthy smiles to more people around the world. By donating you join a wide range of wonderful people and organisations who are passionate about helping to promote and improve oral health. Dental care professionals, practices, non-health businesses, schools and other education bodies, large business and, importantly, members of the public, all help us to deliver our messages and we greatly welcome your support too. You are the reason we can continue to offer vital services which help promote and improve oral health. If you’d like more detail on how we raise and spend our money, take a look at the links below. More information: Oral Health Foundation Impact Report Why support us? Our mission and values Our appeals
How should I raise and collect funds? Expand You can set up a personalised online by creating your very own donation page. This offers a really easy way for people to sponsor you and add messages of support to spur you on when the training gets tough. When creating your own fundraising page you can select where your money goes. You can choose to donate it to the Oral Health Foundation in general, to help us achieve all our charitable objectives, or select one of our rotating appeals, which help go towards a specific cause. You can then share your page on Facebook and Twitter to get the word out to all your friends and family. If you’re looking a bit low tech, we can also help support you with collection tins to collect some cash. You can also download and print off one of our sponsorship forms. More information: Create a fundraising page Sponsorship forms [Oral Health Foundation | Mouth Cancer Action Month | National Smile Month] Contact our press team
I need help promoting my event. Can you help me? Expand Yes. Our team is on hand to help you ensure your fundraising is as successful as it can be. From providing posters, sponsorship forms, social media and press release templates, help is on hand to help spread awareness. Here are our quick tips to making your event the talk of the town... Use local media: Local newsletters, daily papers, radio stations and television in your area are always keen on covering events for a good cause, so make them aware of the details of your event in good time! Some ingenious advertising of your own can also increase your audience. Hand out flyers: A cheap, effective way of promoting your event is to hand out flyers a few weeks in advance. Make them as interesting as possible: include all the key information such as the date, venue and type of event you have planned. Make sure people know about your event! Smile for the camera: Think about photo opportunities – local papers love to use fun, entertaining photos as a basis for covering of local events. Book a photographer, because a good photo is a great way of generating media coverage and makes an excellent memento of your successful event. Write a press release: Why not send out a press release too? It’s an excellent means of promoting a good oral healthcare message through your local media outlets to a large, local audience. Go social: Post about your event on social media. Create a fundraising page on our website and ask people to share it. You might be surprised about far far and wide it goes. Need more of a helping hand? That’s no problem. Contact our dedicated PR team who are experts in making some noise around events. Together we can help guide you on your fundraising journey. More information: Create a fundraising page Editable event poster Social media image cards [download Twitter | Facebook | Instagram cards].
National Smile Month Expand Here are just a few things that you can download and use to promote National Smile Month. We’ll be adding more free downloads to this area so that you can support us throughout the month so keep coming back. National Smile Month Guide and catalogue Tells you all about National Smile Month and how you can participate. Most importantly, the guide contains all our educational resources and products so that you can make the most out of any events and activities you plan to run [download National Smile Month 2019 Guide] [download National Smile Month 2019 Catalogue]. Supporter logo Add the National Smile Month logo to any of your campaign materials, website and social media to show your support [download supporter logo]. Social media posts Here are a selection of sample social media posts along with a few Smiley images too. Please do share them on your accounts and raise the profile of oral health. We are supporting National Smile Month because a healthy mouth means a healthy body #smilemonth Our mouth is so important to many aspects of our live. Because of this it makes sense to give our oral health the best care possible #smilemonth Brush your teeth last thing at night and at one other time during the day with a fluoride toothpaste #smile #smilemonth Protect your smile. Cut down on sugary foods and drinks #smilemonth It's National Smile Month - the perfect opportunity to reassess your oral health www.smilemonth.org #smile We are helping to promote good oral health as part of @smilemonth. Because a healthy mouth matters #smile Social media headers Add these covers to your social media accounts to show your support throughout National Smile Month. Download Twitter cover | Download Facebook cover Sponsorship form Print off our sponsor sheet and have your family, friends and colleagues support your event [download sponsorship form]. Digital guides As part of National Smile Month, we have joined up with GSK to create two great guides to better oral health. These digital guides can be downloaded and shared. Digital Guide to Better Brushing (PDF 5MB) Digital Guides to Dental Erosion (PDF 5MB) Email signature A small banner to insert on your email signature will help share the campaign far and wide [download email signature]. Press release template if you are doing an event for national Smile Month, or simply want to show your support for the campaign in your local community, use this press release to target your local media [download press release template]. If you would like any help in organising National Smile Month activities, have any questions about the campaign, or would like advice about making the most out of your activities, contact our National Smile Month team on 01788 539 792 or contact us via an online enquiry. Useful links: About National Smile Month Event ideas National Smile Month products
Annual Reviews & Impact Reports Expand Our Impact Report gives you a brief overview about some of our activities and achievements in improving the oral health and wellbeing over a year. Thank you to everybody who made last year a success, we could not do it without your support. Oral Health Foundation Impact Report 16/17 [View Impact Report] Archive Impact Reports Oral Health Foundation Impact Report 15/16 Oral Health Foundation Impact Report 14/15 Oral Health Foundation Impact Report 13/14 Oral Health Foundation Impact Report 12/13
Fundraising & donating Expand We want to make it as easy as possible for you to get the most out of your fantastic fundraising efforts. The below materials can be freely downloaded and help you shout about your achievements and get some support too! Sponsorship form: Get your family, friends and colleagues to support you with a donation [download sponsorship form]. Event poster: Print this poster, fill in your details and pin it up to give your event some extra exposure [download editable event poster]. Social media post: Share your success online with this image card. Post it on your social media account, along with your fundraising page, which you can create here [download Twitter | Facebook | Instagram cards]. Donation form: If you have raised or collected money in person, download this form, fill in your details and send it back to us. This form will allow us to safely collect a one-off donation from your bank account [download donation form]. Paying in slip: If you would like to donate to us via a cheque, complete and return this form to us, after your fundraising activity has finished. The form also allows you to tell us about any online donations from your supporters so that we can add up the total amount you have raised for us [download paying in slip]. Payroll giving form: As an alternative to supporting us through regular direct debits, you can donate to the Oral Health Foundation through Payroll Giving. This allows you to support us with a regular donation direct from your pay and is a cheaper way of donating as it is tax free [download payroll giving form]. If there's anything else you are looking for or need, do not hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on +44 (0)1788 539792 or contact us online. Useful links: Fundraising ideas Planning your event Create a fundraising page
Puzzles & games Expand If you are looking to take oral health messages into a classroom, or other educational settings, interactive games are a great way to engage young people about the importance of a healthy mouth. The below downloads are free for you to print and use. They can also be accompanied by other classroom activities provided by our Dental Helpline, Dental Buddy and our online shop. Toothpaste Test: How many words can you make from the word toothpaste? [download our Toothpaste Test] Memory Match: Sample text about Memory Match [download Memory Match]. Show Your Teeth You Care: Fill in the missing words to complete the sentences [download our Show Your Teeth You Care]. Trace the Paste: Follow five different lines and discover which letter leads to the toothpaste [download Trace the Paste]. Wordsearch: A simple wordsearch filled with dental words [download Wordsearch]. More puzzles and games Contact our Dental Helpline and ask for more free materials, download further resources from our Dental Buddy programme, or visit our online shop for more tools, games and activities that you can take into a classroom setting.
Fact sheets & information Expand The Oral Health Foundation’s experts analyse the very latest peer-reviewed research so that we can give you the very best advice and guidance about how to look after your oral health. Below are just a few of our mostly commonly-asked areas. If you need help on any other oral health topic, contact our Dental Helpline (contact details below). Toothbrushes: The toothbrush is the most effective way to maintain good oral health so it is important to pick the correct one for your needs. Here are the factors to take into consideration when choosing a toothbrush [download 'Toothbrushes' fact sheet]. Toothpaste: A pea-sized blob of fluoride toothpaste goes a long way to protecting your teeth from decay. Learn about what is in your toothpaste and what different ingredients and formulations do [download 'Toothpaste' fact sheet]. Mouthwashes: This document explains what role mouthwash can play in your oral health routine and what the key ingredients are [download 'Mouthwashes' fact sheet]. NHS dental complaints: How to make a complaint on your NHS dental treatment [download 'NHS Dental Complaints' fact sheet]. Private dental complaints: Proceeding with a complaint against private dental services [download 'Private Complaints' fact sheet]. Need further advice? The Dental Helpline is the Oral Health Foundation’s own confidential advice service. Qualified dental professionals are available to answer your questions personally from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. Our team can assist you in any areas of oral health, whether it is giving advice on oral hygiene products, talking about procedures and treatments, discussing regulations, or signposting you to correct services. You can telephone them on +44(0) 1788 539 780, email them at [email protected] or contact them via an online enquiry.