Oral health
Find out how to keep your teeth and gums healthy, find a dentist and get help with dental problems.
Healthy teeth and gums are important at every stage of life.
Looking after your teeth
Follow these tips to prevent tooth decay and gum disease:
- brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- spit out toothpaste after brushing and avoid rinsing with water
- cut down on sugary food and drinks
- clean between your teeth every day
- visit a dentist regularly
Looking after your children's teeth
Follow these tips to help keep your child's teeth healthy from the start:
- start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears
- use fluoride toothpaste suitable for your child's age
- help children brush their teeth until they are at least 7 years old
- take your child to a dentist by their first birthday
Find out more on Tiny Teeth Liverpool
NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18 or under 19 if they are in full-time education.
Parents and carers can request free toothbrushes and toothpaste for children aged up to 18 by emailing publichealth@liverpool.gov.uk.
Check your mouth regularly
Speak to a dentist or GP if you have any of the following for more than 3 weeks:
- a mouth ulcer that doesn’t heal
- red or white patches in your mouth
- lumps in your mouth, neck or throat
- ongoing pain or difficulty swallowing
- unexplained loose tooth
- a change in your voice
Find a dentist in Liverpool
Regular dental check-ups can help identify problems early.
Need urgent dental help?
Contact your usual dental practice if you have severe pain, swelling, bleeding or an injury to your teeth or mouth.
If you do not have a dentist, contact NHS 111 online or by phone. You can also call the Cheshire and Merseyside dental helpline on 0161 476 9651.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you have:
- severe swelling affecting breathing or swallowing
- heavy bleeding that will not stop
- a serious injury to your face, mouth or jaw
Supporting healthier smiles in Liverpool
Liverpool City Council’s Public Health and Children’s Services teams work with partners to improve oral health through the following activities:
- Free toothbrushes and toothpaste: distributing more than 40,000 toothbrushes and nearly 40,000 tubes of toothpaste to children across Liverpool.
- Support for families: sharing oral health advice and resources through early years providers, schools, health visitors and family hubs.
- Support for children with additional needs: providing adapted resources to help children with special educational needs and disabilities build a comfortable toothbrushing routine.
- Mini Mouth Care Matters: providing funding and support to improve mouth care for children staying in hospital for more than 24 hours.
- All Together Smiling: supervising toothbrushing in eligible early years settings and primary schools, helping young children learn positive habits.
Related public health campaigns
Save Kids from Sugar
See how much sugar is in your children’s drinks, breakfast cereals, yogurts and more.