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National Smile Month: Yasmin Allen

National Smile Month Love your smile

It’s National Smile Month, an entire month dedicated to promoting good oral health and highlighting its profound impact on our overall well-being.

This week, we are shining a light on HUC’s Clinical Director of Dental Care, Yasmin Allen, who is sharing some helpful tips on how to love your smile more this month. Everyone deserves a healthy smile they can be proud of, and when Yasmin learned that the theme of this year’s smile month is “feed your smile”, she eagerly shared some valuable tips.

Yasmin Allen

Sugars in food and drinks play a major role in the development of tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth, especially those in plaque, metabolise sugar and release acid as a byproduct of this process.

Thankfully, taking extra care of your oral health can lead to other health benefits. “Many things that are not good for your teeth are also not particularly great for your general health,” Yasmin says. “Be aware of sneaky sugars that can creep in without you knowing it. Reading the labels is so important to find out what the sugar content is in food and drinks.”

Reduce your sugar intake

“Your taste buds get used to different kinds of flavours, for example, if you eat a lot of salty foods, you will recalibrate your taste and will find you have to add more salt to get your preferred flavour. It’s the same with sugar. Try cutting out all sugary foods for even one week and notice how your go-to sweet snacks may suddenly become too sweet!”

Keep healthy alternatives on hand

“Nourishing snacks can be tempting when we’re sad or bored, leading to unhealthy habits. To break this cycle, avoid buying unhealthy snacks and keep healthier alternatives on hand. Choose options like nuts, dark chocolate, cheese, and crunchy veggies like carrots to satisfy cravings while providing essential nutrients without added sugar.”

Remember basic oral hygiene principles

“Don’t forget that general oral hygiene principles are essential. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth using floss or other tools.”

“Diet is probably the most important factor for maintaining oral health. If you reduce your sugar intake and limit snacking, you’ll notice a significant difference in how your teeth feel when you run your tongue along them. Remember, a healthy mouth contributes to a healthy body, and vice versa.” So, as National Smile Month draws to a close, remember that the commitment to a healthy smile should last all year round.