Oral Health

For Adults

Oral health of adults has improved over the past fifty years with more people retaining some of their teeth throughout their lives. Oral diseases can cause pain and discomfort, sleepless nights, loss of function and self-esteem which in turn can disrupt family life and lead to time off work. Experiencing tooth decay or having missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures can lead to an individual becoming socially isolated; this may negatively affect their confidence and employment chances. Emerging evidence supports an association between poor oral health and general health notably cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

For older people living with frailty it is crit­ical that their nutritional needs are met as poor oral health care can lead to difficulties with eating, and absorbing medications properly.

The incidence of oral cancer is increasing and in Y&H is higher than the national average, although predominantly seen in the older age groups it is increasingly presenting in middle aged and younger people. Risk factors include smoking, alcohol, chewing tobacco, HPV poor diet and sun exposure  

Frequent consumption of free sugars in large amounts or frequent, tobacco use and consuming alcohol above the recommended lower limits of 14 units per week have an impact on the oral health. Eating a healthy balanced diet containing fruit, vegetables, low in fat, salt and sugar and based on whole grain products is important for good general health and oral health. Stopping smoking and consuming less alcohol than the recommended lower limits are also good for both general health and oral health.   Regular toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste will help reduce tooth decay and gum disease.

For Children

Tooth decay is the most common oral disease affecting children and young people in England, yet it is largely preventable. Extractions of decayed teeth was the most common reason for hospital admissions in children aged between 5-9 years.

Poor oral health impacts on children and family’s wellbeing and is costly to treat. Poor oral health in children may be indicative of wider health and social care issues such as poor nutrition, obesity, lack of parenting support and possibly safeguarding and neglect. Like adults, the regular consumption of foods and drinks high in free sugars increases the risk of obesity and tooth decay. Twice daily toothbrushing with a fluoride toothpaste can prevent tooth decay.

Finding a dentist

Click on the link to find your local NHS dentist by typing in your postcode - www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist

Community Dental Service (CDS)

CDS is a referral only dental service and patients are referred by High Street Dentists. Most of their patients come to them because they are unable to be treated in a General Dental Practice because of learning difficulties, mental health issues or very severe dental anxiety. Sometimes patients are referred because they need specialist or complex care and are referred back to their usual dentist after their course of treatment. For more information - click here.