Hillingdon Council is encouraging residents with babies and young children to attend a series of events across the borough, promoting good oral health and wellbeing, as part of National Smile Month which started this week.
The annual awareness month highlights the importance of daily routines that protect teeth and gums.
The council's children's centres and family hubs have organised a programme of events and workshops focused on regular brushing, a healthy diet and sensible swaps families can make to improve their child’s oral health.
Activities include Brush for Life sessions on brushing teeth properly, choosing the right toothpaste and healthy food, and bottle‑to‑cup events to help families protect children’s teeth.
The programme also features stay and play sessions, dental themed rhyme and story times, and an online brushathon on Wednesday 27 May, alongside an in-person event at Pinkwell Children’s Centre on the same day.
There will also be online sessions with tips and advice including brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes; encouraging children to spit, not rinse, to keep fluoride working; choosing milk or water over sugary drinks and visiting the dentist regularly.
Julie Kelly, Hillingdon Council’s Corporate Director of Children’s Services, said: “Supporting families to give children the best start in life includes helping them understand how simple daily habits, such as brushing teeth and healthy food choices, can protect oral health.
“Our children’s centres and family hubs offer a series of accessible activities and advice for parents and carers across the borough.”
Events can be booked by contacting children’s centres. To see the full list, visit our website.
More information about brush for life and bottle to cup workshops is available at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/cc-services. To take part in the online brushathon, contact your local children's centre.
