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Find ways to keep teeth and gums healthy to prevent tooth decay. Get access to dental treatment.
More information can be found on NHS healthy body guide for teeth and gums.
The NHS has information about accessing routine and urgent dental care, and finding an NHS dentist near you. Alternatively family or friends may be able to recommend a dentist.
This outlines the NHS dental charges you may pay depending on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, gums and teeth healthy. You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it – either Band 1, Band 2 or Band 3.
You're entitled to free NHS dental care if you are:
or if you or your partner – including civil partner – receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:
Or if you're entitled to or named on:
If you think you need urgent care, contact your usual dentist as some practices offer emergency dental slots and will provide care if clinically necessary.
Contact NHS 111, who can put you in touch with an urgent dental service. Do not contact your GP, as they will not be able to offer urgent or emergency dental care.
Community Dental Services in Bedford Borough accept referrals from dentists and non-dental healthcare professionals and other organisations for patients with additional needs, plus size patients and those anxious patients requiring care under sedation or General Anaesthesia.
Breast milk is the only food or drink babies need for around the first 6 months of their life. First formula milk is the only suitable alternative to breast milk.
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for around the first 6 months of life. Complementary foods should be introduced from around 6 months of age alongside continued breastfeeding. Breastfeeding up to 12 months of age is associated with a decreased risk of tooth decay.
Bottle-fed babies should be introduced to drinking from a free-flow cup from the age of 6 months and bottle feeding should be discouraged from 12 months old.
Only milk or water should be drunk between meals and adding sugar to foods or drinks should be avoided.
Parents and guardians are advised to take young children in their care to see a dentist as soon as their first teeth come through, and before their first birthday.
Mouth cancers can arise from any area in the mouth including the lips, tongue, gums, and cheeks.
Alcohol and tobacco use increase your risk of developing mouth cancer; the combined effect of drinking alcohol and using tobacco multiplies this risk. Smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, are also harmful.
Stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake and eating a healthy balanced diet can reduce the risk of developing mouth cancer.
Three signs and symptoms not to ignore are:
Tooth decay is largely preventable, yet it remains a serious problem.
In 2017, around a third of 5-year-old children in Bedford were shown to have experienced tooth decay (31.3%), having on average 4 teeth affected. This compared to a around a quarter across England (23.3%). Poor diet, smoking, alcohol, diabetes and some medication may put you at risk of poor oral health.
Poor oral health can lead to: