Oral and dental health
It's important to take care of your teeth and gums. Follow this advice to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy.
Brush twice daily
Brush your teeth and gums twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste. Brush once before bed and once at any other time that suits you. Spit out after brushing, and do not rinse.
Limit sugar intake
Make healthier food and drink choices by swapping out sugar, especially between meals.
Go to the dentist regularly
Go for a routine check-up at the dentist at least once every year.
Visits to NHS dentists are free if any of the following apply:
- you're pregnant
- you're under the age of 18
- you're under the age of 19 and in full time education
Find out about dental charges and exemptions on the NHS website.
There are lots of NHS dentists in Walsall who are taking on new patients. Find an NHS dentist.
Find more advice about taking care of your teeth and gums on the NHS website.
Urgent dental care
If you need urgent dental care on bank holidays or outside of usual dental practice opening hours, contact NHS 111.
You can contact them:
- online at 111.nhs.uk (if the person needing treatment is at least 5 years old)
- by calling 111
- on a textphone by calling 18001 111.
The standard NHS emergency dental treatment charge will apply if you get emergency treatment. The dentist may recommend that you make another appointment for a separate course of non-urgent treatment. If this happens, you will need to pay a second charge in the relevant treatment band.
If you are entitled to free NHS dental care, you should be able to claim back the cost of any treatment. Find out more about who is entitled to free NHS dental care and how to claim a refund on the NHS website.
If you have toothache do not contact your GP. They cannot offer emergency or out-of-hours dental care.
For more help if you have an urgent dental problem, or if you want to find an NHS dentist, you can visit the NHS website or call 111.
People with additional needs
If you or someone you care for cannot get to a dental practice because of a disability or medical condition, contact NHS 111 to find dentists who offer community dental services.
If you are a carer or family member who looks after and older person or someone with a disability or medical condition, you have an important role in helping with mouth care.
Gum disease and tooth decay can lead to problems which can cause people to refuse to eat, drink or speak, leading to other health complications.
For good oral health, everybody should clean their teeth, dentures or mouth at least twice a day. It's important that you encourage and help the person you care for to do this.
Find out more on dental treatment for people with special needs on the NHS website.
Those in the early stages of dementia should be able to take care of their own oral health or may just need reminding about it. If you care for someone who is in the mid to late stage of dementia they may depend on you more for their oral care.
The Alzheimer’s Society has more advice on dental care and dementia.
