Celebrate National Smile Month 2026 with Devon Dentists

At Devon Dentists, we are proud to support National Smile Month 2026, running from 11 May to 11 June 2026. This year marks a major milestone as the campaign celebrates its 50th anniversary, recognising five decades of improving oral health across the UK.

Organised by the Oral Health Foundation, National Smile Month is the UK’s largest oral health awareness campaign. It aims to highlight the importance of good oral hygiene and encourage people of all ages to take simple, positive steps towards healthier smiles.

A healthy smile is about more than appearance - it plays an important role in your overall health, confidence, and wellbeing. At Devon Dentists, we are committed to supporting our patients in maintaining strong, healthy teeth and gums for life.

Why National Smile Month Matters

National Smile Month is an important reminder that small daily habits can make a big difference to your oral and general health. Poor oral hygiene can contribute to problems such as tooth decay and gum disease, and has also been linked with broader health conditions including heart disease and diabetes.

This year’s campaign focuses on four key messages:

• Brush your teeth twice a day

• Clean between your teeth

• Reduce sugary foods and drinks

• Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups

  
  

By following these simple steps, you can help protect your teeth and gums, maintain fresh breath and enjoy a confident smile all year round.

Brush your teeth twice a day

Brushing your teeth morning and night with a fluoride toothpaste helps to protect and strengthen tooth enamel, keeping decay at bay. It also removes daily plaque build-up, lowering the risk of gum disease. Aim to brush for two minutes each time for a thorough clean.

Clean between your teeth

Even the best brushing routine can’t reach every area of your mouth, which is why cleaning between your teeth is so important. Using interdental brushes or floss helps remove plaque and food debris from hard-to-reach spaces, supporting healthier gums and helping to prevent decay between teeth.

Cut down on sugary foods and drinks

Reducing your intake of sugary snacks and drinks is one of the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay. Sugar reacts with bacteria in the mouth to produce acids that weaken enamel and lead to cavities. Choosing healthier snacks and drinking water or sugar-free alternatives can make a big difference to your oral health.

Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups

Routine dental visits play a key role in maintaining long-term oral health. Regular check-ups allow your dentist to identify any early signs of problems such as decay or gum disease, while also professionally removing plaque build-up. This helps keep your teeth and gums in the best possible condition.

Get Involved in National Smile Month

At Devon Dentists, we are inviting our patients to get involved in this year’s National Smile Month 2026 and take simple steps to support better oral health throughout the campaign.

Book your dental check-up

If it has been a while since your last visit, National Smile Month is the ideal time to arrange a dental appointment. Routine check-ups allow us to monitor your oral health, spot any early signs of concern, and help keep your smile in great condition.

Build stronger daily habits

Small improvements to your everyday routine can have a lasting impact on your oral health. Whether it’s choosing a fluoride toothpaste, being more consistent with brushing and interdental cleaning, or reducing sugar intake, these simple changes all contribute to a healthier smile.

Join the 'Guess the Celebrity Smile' competition with The Voice

radio, proudly sponsored by us at Devon Dentists.

You could be in with a chance to win either £750 in cash or £1,500 worth of dental treatment at our practice.

All you need to do is recognise the 4 famous smiles, with a new one revealed each week!

Head over to The Voice website to take part and find out more. Good luck!

Share your smile

Help the Oral Health Foundation to make this 50th anniversary of Smile Month the biggest year yet. They need your smiling faces to make it happen! Share your smile and inspire others to take better care of their oral health - we always love seeing our patients’ confident smiles.

Join the Smile Wall by visiting Oral Health Foundation's National Smile Month page.