Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles

Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles aims to improve the oral health of children and adults in Leicester, and reduce tooth decay and associated health issues.

What you need to know about oral health

There are some very simple messages that you can use to help promote good oral health in your setting or at home:

• Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, once before bed and one other time during the day.
• Eat less sugary food and drink - find out more at dentalhealth.org
• Visit your dentist regularly. Book a visit to the dentist once your child gets their first tooth and regularly.

Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles aims to provide:

• Free toothbrushes and toothpaste for children in oral health packs. All children in the city will receive five oral health care packs by the time they are five, which contain a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and oral health information.
• Free baby bottle swaps in all of our children, young people and families centres.
• Supervised toothbrushing. Many of our early year’s settings (aged 0-5) take part in our free supervised toothbrushing programme where your children will learn how to brush their teeth properly every day.

Top tips to help improve your child’s oral health

There are a number of simple steps you can take:

• Take your child to see the dentist before they are one and go regularly.
• Brush your child's teeth as soon as the first tooth appears.
• Brush at least twice a day.
• Don't rinse after brushing just spit the toothpaste out.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste.
• Ask your dentist about fluoride varnish.
• Limit sugary drinks and snacks to mealtimes only.

You can also view and download our free oral health resources.

You can also find information on establishing a good bed time routine at NHS.UK.

To find out how to access these services, contact our oral health team:

• Oral health team:
  healthyteethhappysmiles@leicester.gov.uk

Accredited Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles dental practices

The following dental practices in Leicester are accredited family-friendly and have demonstrated their commitment to improving children’s oral health in the city.