Dental health

Oral health means having a healthy mouth, teeth and gums so you can eat, speak and smile comfortably without pain.

A regular teeth-cleaning routine is essential for good dental health. Follow these tips and you can help keep your children's teeth decay-free.

Dentures (false teeth)

• It is important to look after your mouth even if you wear dentures
• Use toothpaste (containing between 1,350 and 1,500ppm of fluoride) to clean any natural teeth, mouth and gums twice a day
• Find out more information about dentures including how to look after your dentures

Useful resources

Find out more about:

• children’s teeth
• healthy teeth and gums
• how to keep your teeth clean
• eating well
• gum disease
• British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) - Kidsvids

The Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) Oral Health Improvement Team have developed oral health advice videos for children:

• English
• Polish
• Romanian

Visiting the dentist

You are entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you are pregnant at the start of your course of treatment and for up to 12 months after your baby is born.

To get free NHS dental treatment, you must have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx) issued by your midwife or GP. NHS dental treatment is free for children and young people under the age of 18 and under 19 if in full-time education.

Ask your dentist to brush on fluoride varnish for added protection against tooth decay (for children aged 3 and above) - it's free.

There are some reasons that might allow you to get free dental care. Find out more about getting help with health costs.

How to find a dentist

If you’re unable to find a dentist, check the How to find an NHS dentist - NHS regularly and contact practices every few months, as they may begin accepting new patients.

If you need urgent dental care, you can contact your local dentist or contact NHS 111 Online or by phoning 111. How to find an emergency or urgent NHS dentist appointment - NHS.

If you are unable to find a dentist

If you are unable to find a dentist and want to raise a concern about this contact the Northamptonshire ICB patient experience team at [email protected].

Your local Healthwatch North Northamptonshire may be able to give you information about services in your area or raise a concern if you have one.

Special needs

NHFT have a specialist service for children and adults who need extra support for dental care, because of their additional needs.

Other support available

Oral cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the UK and accounts for 2% of all cancers diagnosed. Known risk factors include smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV).

Find out more about support to stop smoking, and drug and alcohol.

Last updated 18 May 2026