Eat WellDrink WellClean WellPlay WellStay Well

NSW MessagesNSW Messagesfor a Healthy Mouthfor a Healthy Mouth

NSW MessagesNSW Messagesfor a Healthy Mouthfor a Healthy Mouth

FOR ADULTS

Stay Well

Play Well� Wear a professionally fitted

mouthguard when you areplaying and training for anysport where there is a risk ofmouth injury

� Wear a full-faced helmet orface guard if you are playingsports such as cricket

� Don't smoke - it can causegum disease, tooth loss andcancer of the mouth. Talk to ahealth professional or call theQuitline 131 848 for help withgiving up smoking

Further copies can be downloaded from the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au

orBetter Health Centre — Publications Warehouse:

02 9816 0452

� Have regular check-ups -don't wait for a problem

� Check-ups are especiallyimportant if you are pregnant(or planning a pregnancy) assevere gum disease increasesthe risk of giving birth topreterm and low birth-weightbabies

� Keep your own teeth and gumsclean and healthy. Germs fromyour mouth can pass over toyour baby's mouth on dummies,bottles and spoons

� You still need a dental check -up if you have dentures

You MUST tell your dentist(i) if you have a seriousmedical condition, and (ii) whatmedications you take

Protect your face, skin andlips from too much sun bywearing a hat and t-shirt, andputting on sunscreen and lipprotection

SHPN: (COHS) 061002September 2007

healthymessages_adults.qxp 25/09/2007 10:12 AM Page 1

NSW Messages for a Healthy MouthNSW Messages for a Healthy MouthNSW Messages for a Healthy MouthNSW Messages for a Healthy Mouth

Eat Well Drink Well Clean Well� Enjoy a wide variety of

nutritious foods� Eat healthy snacks in-betweenmeals (like cheese, vegetablesticks, fresh fruit, yoghurt,wholegrain sandwiches andsoups)

Avoid snacking on sugary andsticky foods and sweetsbetween meals (like cakes,biscuits, pastries,lollies/candy)

� Drink tap water - it's the bestdrink! - especially before andafter physical activity

� Avoid acidic and sugary drinks(like fruit juice, cordial, softdrink and sports drinks) - theyare particularly harmful if theyare sipped slowly, or swishedand swilled in the mouth beforeswallowing

� Ask your doctor for sugar-free medicine. Some medicationscan cause you to have a drymouth, which can increase therisk of tooth decay. Talk toyour doctor or dentist aboutthis, especially if you have anumber of medications

� Limit alcoholic drinks

� Brushing and flossing are thebest ways to keep your teethand gums healthy

� Brush your teeth and gumstwice a day with a smallamount of fluoride toothpaste,especially before bed

� Use a toothbrush with softbristles and a small head

� Clean between your teethwith floss, dental woodsticksor an interdental brush

� If you have dentures cleanthem carefully everyday, witha wet soft toothbrush andplain unperfumed soap (don'tuse toothpaste). Do cleanyour remaining natural teethwith toothpaste

healthymessages_adults.qxp 25/09/2007 10:13 AM Page 2