1. Looking After Your Oral Health Oral Health Fact: Following these key strategies is the best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease! Five key strategies to remember: Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste Floss regularly Choose healthy, tooth friendly snacks and drinks Be smokefree Visit the dentist for a check-up every 12 months

2. Brush Twice a Day with Fluoride Toothpaste WHY? To remove plaque that builds up on your teeth during the day and night. To regularly get fluoride on your teeth. Oral Health Fact: Fluoride helps protect teeth by making them stronger and by helping to fight tooth decay.

3. Floss Regularly WHY? To remove plaque between your teeth where it is difficult to reach with a toothbrush.

4. Choose Healthy, Tooth Friendly Snacks and Drinks WHY? To limit the amount of acid attacks on your teeth. Oral Health Fact: Eating healthy can help strengthen teeth as well as limit acid attacks, for example by getting calcium from dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt, and by getting fluoride from tap water, if it is fluoridated.

5. Be smokefree WHY? Smoking damages the blood vessels that keep your gums healthy. If you smoke it is therefore more likely that you will get the most severe type of gum disease. Smoking can also cause: Tooth staining Bad breath Reduced sense of taste and smell Increased risk of oral cancer As you probably know smoking can be damaging to the rest of your body as well. Therefore… It is best not to start smoking! If you have, there is lots of help to quit available, e.g. through the Quitline or TXT to Quit.

6. Visit the Dentist for a Check-Up Every 12 Months WHY? To ensure that oral health problems are stopped at an early stage. Yearly dental check-ups are free until you turn 18! To find a dentist providing the Free Dental Service for Teens: call 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) visit www.cdhb.govt.nz/dentalcare/youth ask your local dentist

7. So, Why is Oral Health Important? Can you think of some examples in relation to: Physical wellbeing Mental / emotional wellbeing Social wellbeing Spiritual wellbeing Oral Health Fact: Although the mouth is a small part of your body, oral health problems can affect all aspects of your hauora.