• Thousands of children receive advice and guidance on healthy teeth and mouths
• Figures reveal 42.8% of five-year-olds in Bolton have experienced tooth decay
• Advice includes brushing twice daily, reducing sugar and visiting a dentist

Thousands of children in Bolton have been receiving top tips to keep their teeth and mouths healthy, in an effort to prevent tooth decay in the town.

The Healthy Families Team from Bolton NHS Foundation Trust are addressing inequalities in oral health with the delivery of a supervised tooth brushing programme to nearly 6,000 children across more than 110 nurseries and schools in areas with the greatest need.

The latest oral health survey of five-year-old children in 2022 found that 42.8% of children aged five in Bolton had tooth decay, compared with 23.7% in England.

Throughout Smile Month (13 May – 13 June), the Healthy Families Team have also visited local libraries to promote advice for good oral health.

Lorna Dibnah, Healthy Families Specialist (Oral Health Intervention) at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

We believe that everybody deserves a healthy smile and a person’s oral health is a crucial part of their overall wellbeing.

“Education is one of the greatest tools to preventing disease and conditions, such as tooth decay, which is why every year we reach thousands of children, school teachers, and parents to provide guidance and support on maintaining good oral health.

Top tips for better oral health

• Brush teeth for two minutes, last thing at night and one other time during the day, with a fluoride
• Make sure to spit rather than rise after brushing teeth.
• Cut down how much and how often you have sugary food and drinks.
• Visit a dentist regularly.

For more information about the work taking place to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families, visit Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s website.