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IT WAS smiles all round at a Southampton Surestart centre when youngsters brushed up on their dental care. Young teeth were the focus of the event, which involved a number of activities for children and parents centred around National Smile Month.

Run in conjunction with the Southampton City Primary care Trust, the session at Sure Start Weston included children making their own healthy sandwiches, demonstrations on how to brush their teeth properly and information for parents on the sort of foods that, if eaten regularly, can harm developing teeth.

Organisers said it was a great success.

Vanessa Rogers, of SureStart Family Support Development Worker, said: "The children loved the national smile event at Sure Start Weston Children's Centre. The healthy eating and oral hygiene message was reinforced by giving out free oral health packs.

"The children played with giant model teeth and puppets, they made fruit kebabs and had lots of fun! Mums and dads got up-to-date with top teeth tips and the event was a real success."

The annual Smile Month campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of dental care, particularly in children.

The theme of this year's campaign entitled "Brush For Life" was to highlight the impact poor oral health can have on the rest of the body.

With research suggesting a link between gum disease and conditions like heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and low birthweight babies, the idea behind National Smile Month is to educate the public on the importance of good oral healthcare.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the foundation, said: "This year's campaign represents a real step forward for National Smile Month.

"There is a growing body of evidence suggesting people with gum disease are more at risk of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and, in the case of pregnant women, giving birth to underweight babies.

"We need dentists and other health professionals to make the public aware of the importance of good oral healthcare to keeping gum disease under control and preventing it from developing into more serious general health conditions."

The campaign comes as debate rages in the city over whether fluoride should be added to Southampton water supplies.

The PCT says it is essential in order to halt the growing number of children suffering with rotting teeth. However, a Daily Echo poll of 25,000 Daily Echo readers found that two thirds were opposed to the plans.

The results of the poll come ahead of a consultation due to be launched next month by Southampton PCT.

The trust wants to fluoridate the water supplies of 160,000 city residents, and 36,000 more who live in Eastleigh, Totton and Netley.

It says the measure is needed to improve chronic dental health, especially in more deprived areas.

Statistics show 42 per cent of Southampton's children experience tooth decay by the time they are five years old, and last year more than 500 youngsters had to have operations under general anaesthetic to remove diseased teeth.

n Brush twice a day Twice daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste is the most important part of any good oral healthcare routine. You should brush for two minutes at a time, making sure you clean every tooth. Established research has found most people only brush for around 45 seconds.

n clean between your teeth at least once a day The positioning of your teeth means you can only reach about 60 per cent of a tooth's surface through regular brushing, so it is important to also clean between the teeth using floss or interdental brushes. You should do this at least once-a-day before brushing.

n swap sugary snacks for fruit and vegetables Tooth decay is caused by too frequent consumption of sugar. Every time you eat something sugary your teeth are put under acid attack for up to one hour - all for a two-minute sweet break!

n make a dental appointment Regular visits to the dentist are vital not only to our oral health but also to our general health.

Dentists are also trained to spot the first signs of mouth cancer - a condition that kills one person every five hours in the UK.

2:53pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

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