Give us a smile

Katie Langford, Director of People at Groundswell, shares information and tips for looking after our mouths.

When our mental health is poor, or life spirals out of control, it can mean we don’t look after our mouths as well as we should. The healthy mouths project spoke to over 260 people across London about their mouth health, including people who Katie served a prison sentence in Australia are homeless, living in hostels or insecure from 2013 to 2016. On returning home to accommodation. Findings found: the UK one of the first steps to rebuilding l 90% of participants had an issue her life was volunteering at Groundswell, with their mouth health since becoming a national charity that offers people with homeless. experience of homelessness opportunities l 27% of participants have used alcohol to to create solutions to homelessness. Katie volunteered as a Peer Researcher on the Healthy “When I got my teeth help them deal with dental pain and 28% have used drugs. l Only 23% had been to the dentist in the Mouths Project in 2017, sortedit was amazing. It took last six months. which aims to promote me ages to stop putting my hand l 58% were not clear good oral health and over my mouth.Even just seeing on their rights to NHS increase access to thelook in peoples’ eyes. I don’t know dentistry. dental services for people experiencing social exclusion. if they sensed that I was more at ease with myself when I smiled.They could smile with me.I actually feel that getting my teeth sorted has helped l Despite the many difficulties, participants clearly

Keeping our teeth me to turn a corner. They don’t hurt valued good oral health and mouths healthy is about much more than enabling us to chew anymore and I’m not drinking now. I’m not embarrassed. I can start looking to the future.” - Research Participant and believed dentists were there to help. We found that many food; teeth help us speak people relied on sugar to clearly, give our faces shape and get them through the day, but a healthy smile helps with confidence frequently eating or drinking sugary and self-esteem. Dental discomfort can treats can cause tooth decay, which left be extremely painful and prevent us from untreated can cause nerves to become living our best lives. infected and die, leading to painful abscesses.

Smoking, drinking and drugs can have As someone who has spent time in a damaging impact on our teeth, but our custody, I know it can take weeks, or more mental health can also affect our teeth. likely months, to access a dentist. In my

prison it wasn’t uncommon to see women desperately searching for black market clove oil to treat their pain. It isn’t always easy to keep teeth healthy in prison, or when you are in the community trying to get back on your feet, but this article has some simple steps you can take to ensure your mouth stays healthy.

Accessing treatment post release You should see a dentist at least once a year. Lots of people get nervous about this and put it off especially if it doesn’t feel like much is wrong, but dentists are there to help and its best to get things sorted before you’re in pain.

If you’re worried speak to the dentist and agree on a sign you can make at any time in your treatment to say STOP!

Finding a dentist If you don’t have a dentist, the easiest way to find one is to call 111. They will ask your name, date of birth and the postcode for the area you are in. They can search for local dentists who are taking NHS patients.

Cost and access to treatment If you’re on most benefits or you’re an asylum seeker (even if you’ve been refused) you can get NHS dentistry for free. You need to fill out an HC1 form which is easy to get online, and most dentists and homelessness services can help. Having proof of your benefits or immigration status may help when signing up.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR MOUTH

l Brush your teeth twice a day, and it's especially important to do it last thing at night. l Brushing last thing at night is really important. l Don't rinse your mouth with water after you brush your teeth, as this washes away the toothpaste. l If your gums bleed brush again. l Clean between your teeth every day using floss or small brushes. l Visit the dentist regularly to check that both your teeth and mouth are healthy, even if you don’t have any natural teeth left. l If you use methadone, brush your teeth before and rinse your mouth with water after you take it. l If you smoke or drink alcohol going to the dentist is even more important. l Toothpaste must have fluoride in it, only use the one meant for adults. l Cut down on sugary food and drinks and try to have them only with meals. Did you know using drugs can have an impact on your mouth? Cannabis: increases the risk of decay and gum disease. Crack: can cause oral sores increasing the risk of spreading of blood born infections. Cocaine: can lead to damage to the roof of the mouth and when rubbed into the gums can cause decay. It has anaesthetic properties making dental procedures dangerous if you have recently used. Heroin: can lead to the loss of teeth, decay, and inflammatory diseases. Methadone: usually contains a high sugar content increasing the risk of dental damage. You can request sugar free options which have less impact on your teeth. To find out more about Groundswell and the work they do visit their website www.groundswell.org.uk/