How kissable is YOUR mouth? An attractive and healthy smile can help you feel good about yourself and help boost your confidence

	Don't stand out for the wrong reasons!!! - Bad breath - Stained teeth - Tooth decay - Gum disease - Tooth loss - Dental erosion....these are some of the   conditions that may happen - but can   be easily avoided!
How do I prevent bad breath? There are many causes of bad breath... - Smoking Tobacco causes its own form of bad breath as well as causing unsightly staining, gum disease, tooth loss and more seriously - mouth cancer. - Poor Oral Hygiene If the teeth, gums and tongue are not brushed thoroughly, the bacteria present in the plaque can release smelly gases. This bacteria also causes gum disease and dental decay. Food debris if trapped and not removed can rot and cuase an unpleasant smell. - Certain illnesses such as stomach and nasal problems.
	How can I avoid it? Stop smoking (help is available form the NHS Smoking Helpline 0800 169 0 169) - Visit your dentist regularly - Brush your teeth, gums AND tongue   twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste - Remove food debris from in between   the teeth with interdental cleaners such   as floss - Avoid strong food
How can I protect my teeth from decay? Dental cavities (holes) caused by dental decay can look unsightly) It is also easy to prevent!!! When sugar enters the mouth, it comes into contact with the bacteria (plaque) we all have in our mouths. Plaque coats our teeth, gums and tongue. The plaque bacteria combines with the sugar and forms an acid . This acid attacks the hard white enamel part of the tooth. Depending on the person, this attack can last up to 2 hours. The enamel can withstand up to 4 sugar acid attacks a day. The easiest way to keep these acid attacks to a minimum, is to keep sugar to mealtimes only!!! It is the Frequency of sugar consumption that can lead to problems, which is why it is best to eat all the sugary foods in one sitting rather than spreading throughout the day.                  Acidic foods and drinks can cause Dental Erosion (wearing of the tooth enamel). This can cause staining and look unsightly and lead to sensitive teeth. The same principles apply for preventing dental erosion - keep fizzy drinks and acidic food and drinks to mealtimes only! Safe snacks and drinks to keep a healthy smile: - Fruit - Vegetables - Milk - Water	What are the dangers of having my tongue pierced? - The tongue can swell - Local infection and possible blood   infection - Chipping and breaking of other teeth - Speech, eating and swallowing can be   difficult - Oral hygiene is difficult to keep up How often should I visit the dentist? You should visit the dentist for regular check ups. The dentist will advise you on how long to leave in between each visit. This varies from person to person depending on their dental needs. NHS DIRECT will offer advice on any medical matter. They can give you information on where you can find an NHS Dental Practice

BE AWARE Illegal drugs can cause a dry mouth which increases the risk of erosion, decay, gum disease and bad breath!!!