At Portlethen Dental Care, we believe that a healthy smile is about so much more than just looking good in photos. It is the gateway to your overall health, a boost to your self-confidence, and a vital part of your daily wellbeing. That is why National Smile Month is so important, which this year celebrates a massive milestone: 50 Years of Smiles.

Running from mid-May to mid-June, National Smile Month is the UK’s largest and longest-running oral health campaign. Organised by the Oral Health Foundation, its goal is simple but life-changing: to raise awareness of oral health and help us all build simple, lasting habits that protect our teeth and gums for life.

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The state of the nation’s oral health

While we have come a long way since the campaign began in 1977, there is still work to be done. Looking at recent data from the Scottish Health Survey (2024), there is a clear link between our dental health and our happiness.

According to the report, while 93% of adults in Scotland have at least some of their natural teeth, those who reported having issues with their mouth, teeth, or dentures had significantly lower mental wellbeing scores (a mean score of 43.3) compared to those with no issues (49.1). The survey also found that 5% of Scottish adults feel “difficulty smiling, laughing, and showing teeth without embarrassment” due to the state of their oral health.

These statistics remind us that looking after your mouth isn’t just about avoiding fillings; it’s about your quality of life.

The three golden rules of a healthy smile

National Smile Month focuses on three core messages that have remained the foundation of good dental health for five decades:

  1. Brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day with a fluoride toothpaste.
  2. Cut down on how much and how often you have sugary foods and drinks.
  3. Visit your dental team regularly, as often as they recommend.

Why you should meet our hygiene team

One of the best ways to celebrate National Smile Month is by giving your mouth the deep clean it deserves. At Portlethen Dental Care, our preventative team includes two dedicated dental hygienists who are experts in keeping tooth decay and gum disease at bay.

You might brush and floss religiously, but even the best home routine can miss stubborn areas. Over time, plaque can harden into tartar, which cannot be removed by a toothbrush alone. If left untreated, this can lead to gingivitis (early gum disease) or even periodontitis (advanced gum disease), which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

What happens during a hygiene appointment?

When you visit our hygienists in Portlethen, we don’t just clean your teeth. We provide a comprehensive service that includes:

  • Professional scaling: Removing plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach areas and along the gum line.
  • Polishing: Removing surface stains from coffee, tea, or smoking to give you a brighter, glossier finish.
  • Education: We provide tailored advice on nutrition, smoking cessation, and the best interdental tools for your specific needs.
  • Fresh breath: A professional clean is the single most effective way to banish the bacteria that cause halitosis.

Join the Portlethen Dental Care family

If it’s been a while since you last sat in a dental chair, don’t worry, National Smile Month is the perfect time for a fresh start. We pride ourselves on creating a calm, relaxed environment, especially for our nervous patients.

Whether you are looking for a routine check-up, want to experience that amazing deep-clean feel from a hygiene visit, or are interested in joining our practice as a new patient, we are here to help. Our practice is fully wheelchair accessible, offers plenty of free parking, and provides flexible opening hours, including late evenings until 8:00 PM from Monday to Thursday.

Let’s make the next 50 years even brighter. Your smile is for life, so let’s look after it together.

Ready to book? Call our friendly reception team on 01224 781 776.