Oral health
Some of the main oral health issues people may experience include:
- gum disease: gingivitis (reversible) and periodontitis (irreversible)
- tooth decay (caries)
- oral cancer
Gum disease
People experiencing gum disease may notice: bad breath, bleeding gums, swollen gums, receding gums (gums shrinking back and tooth roots becoming visible), gaps between their teeth and loose teeth. Gum disease is not normally painful.
The main risk factors that can cause gum disease are poor oral hygiene and smoking. On top of brushing your teeth twice a day, to help prevent gum disease, you can:
- use interdental cleaning aids such as dental floss and interdental brushes, to clean in between your teeth
- quit or reduce smoking (find support to quit from Smokefree Gateshead)
- visit a dentist regularly
Tooth decay
People experiencing tooth decay may notice brown holes in their teeth and experience pain and/or sensitivity.
The main risk factors that cause tooth decay are poor oral hygiene and a sugary diet. To help prevent decay you can:
- brush teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste for at least 2 minutes
- spit, don't rinse, after brushing. This means fluoride, which helps to re mineralise and keep teeth strong, stays on your teeth to protect them.
- Minimise the frequency and amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume. Download the NHS food scanner app (opens new window) to find healthy sugar swaps
- visit a dentist regularly
Oral cancer
Symptoms of mouth cancer can affect any part of the mouth, including the gums, tongue, inside of the cheeks and lips. Symptoms can include:
- a mouth ulcer that has lasted more than 3 weeks
- a lump in/on the mouth, lip, neck or throat
- a red or white patch in the mouth
- pain in the mouth that's not going away
- difficulty swallowing or speaking
- a hoarse (croaky) voice that does not go away
See a dentist or GP urgently if you are concerned you may have mouth cancer.
To lower your risk of mouth cancer:
- cut down on alcohol and avoid drinking more than 14 units a week
- quit smoking and quit chewing tobacco, betel nut or paan
- eat a healthy diet, including plenty of fruit and vegetables
How to find an NHS dentist
We know that gaining access to an NHS dentist is currently difficult. The following information can help people to find dental care:
- The NHS UK (opens new window) website lists dental practices near you providing NHS dental care and indicates whether they are currently accepting new patients. The information is not always completely up to date so you will need to ring the practice to confirm that they are taking on new patients.
- A number of dental practices in the North East (including 8 across the Gateshead Local Authority area) currently have additional and dedicated appointments for patients with the highest and most urgent clinical needs. Patients could be eligible for these appointments for a number of reasons, for example: if they are experiencing pain or swelling; if they are particularly vulnerable for medical or social reasons; or if their dental problem could cause severe negative consequences if left untreated. If you think you may be eligible for these appointments, you can find out more and contact any of the participating practices (Word doc, 51 KB)(opens new window).
- If you have an emergency or urgent dental issue which needs to be managed within 24 hours, you can also contact NHS 111 (opens new window). If you are eligible, they will arrange for you to be seen by an urgent care service provider. NHS 111 can also be contacted out of hours for emergency or urgent dental issues.
- Only go to A&E if you have: heavy bleeding; injuries to your face, mouth, or teeth; severe swelling, or increasing swelling of your mouth, lips, throat, neck or eye.
- If you cannot secure NHS treatment, you can also contact a private dental practice, or NHS practice who also provides private care, to seek a private appointment. These may be available sooner than NHS appointments.
Support and advice
Find national and local advice and support to help you look after your teeth.