Ok, so what does national smile month have to do with your job and the workplace? Your initial reaction might be absolutely nothing. You might even be thinking that it’s one of those fluffy projects that appears at work every now and then, and destined to cause severe embarrassment. Sound familiar?

Have no fear. It’s more than that. It is great fun, but it is also one of the uk’s longest running health campaigns with a serious message. Born in 1977 it promotes how to achieve great oral health with three simple messages:

  Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste

  Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks

  Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend

In fact, national smile month has coincided with huge improvements in the uk’s oral health over the past few decades. But there’s still a lot more to do.

Here are just a few reasons why employers – large or small – should think about taking part in national smile month.

More than just toothache

An unhealthy workplace – physically and mentally – normally equals time off work and lost productivity. Thousands of people miss work because of their oral health. Frustratingly, it is a condition that is preventable.

Around a third of adults and children still have tooth decay in the uk.  Official figures indicate that around 18,000 people in the uk missed work in the final quarter of last year due to mouth and dental problems, which is categorised along with eye, ear, and nose problems by the office of national statistics. The data also suggests that women are almost twice as likely as men to take time off work and overall, this category of absenteeism accounts for more time off work than heart and circulation problems.

However, poor oral health is not just about toothache and decay. It has a much wider impact on general bodily health than you may think. Research over the past decade has revealed growing evidence linking poor oral health to serious health conditions, which account for many more days off work.

Heart disease and heart attacks

Gum disease has been linked to many diseases and illnesses within the body, and research suggests an increased likelihood of suffering a heart attack being one of them. This is thought to be as a result of the bacteria from the mouth getting into their bloodstream. The bacteria then go on to produce protein, which can affect the heart by causing the platelets in the blood to stick together in the blood vessels of the heart, making clots more likely to form.

Blood clots can reduce normal blood flow, so that the heart does not get all the nutrients and oxygen it needs. If the blood flow is badly affected this could lead to a heart attack. As a result, people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease as those without gum disease.

Strokes

New research suggests that gum disease carries a higher risk of causing a stroke than diabetes, and its impact is nearly the equivalent of high blood pressure as a major cause of strokes. People are twice as likely to suffer a non-fatal stroke as a result of gum disease, compared to diabetes. The data also suggests its impact is equivalent to people having high blood pressure.

New research is also suggestive that how much preventative dental care you have is linked to the chances of a stroke. Study participants who had ever had their teeth cleaned had a 24 per cent decreased risk of heart attack and a 13 per cent lower stroke risk compared to those who had never had a dental cleaning.

Not only did any dental cleanings reduce risk of heart disease and stroke, protection from heart disease and stroke was more pronounced in participants who got tooth scaling at least once a year, meaning that the more often people had their teeth cleaned, the lower their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes 

People with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease than people without it. This is probably because diabetics are more likely to get infections in general. 

People who do not know they have diabetes, or whose diabetes is not under control, are especially at risk. If you do have diabetes it is important that any gum disease is diagnosed, because it can increase your blood sugar. This would put you at risk of diabetic complications.

Also, if you are diabetic, you may find that you heal more slowly. If you have a problem with your gums, or have problems after visits to your dentist, discuss this with your dentist before dental treatment. 

New research has also shown that you are more likely to develop diabetes if you have gum disease.

Pregnancy and oral health

Pregnant women who have gum disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is premature and with a low birth weight. Research suggests bacteria in the oral cavity reaches the amniotic fluid via the bloodstream and can induce early labour. Research also suggests that women whose gum disease gets worse during pregnancy have an even higher risk of having a premature baby

Respiratory diseases

Bacterial chest infections are thought to be caused by breathing in fine droplets from the throat and mouth into the lungs. This can cause infections, such as pneumonia, or could worsen an existing condition. Changes in oral bacteria could also play a role in the risk of developing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. 

People with gum disease and poor oral health have higher levels of bacteria in their mouths and may therefore be more likely to get chest infections and develop respiratory problems.

We challenge you not to smile

National smile month is not all serious.  It’s a great opportunity to have some fun and a good laugh (especially showing off a nice healthy set of teeth).

In 2012, the symbol of national smile month is our ‘smile on a stick’.  We think it’s a great addition to any desk, briefcase, tool-box or wherever you work.  They are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

Happiness and smiling in the workplace are considered by some to be a bit soft and fluffy. But where would you prefer to work? And who could argue against an increasing body of opinion that a happier workplace is a more positive and productive workplace?

So what are the benefits of smiling and laughter? Most successful organisations care about their employees and nurture their health, safety and wellbeing.  National smile month creates an opportunity to do just that.  It can also support the development of a distinctive organisational culture and values associated with successful workplaces. Here are some thoughts from management and other gurus on the ‘softer’ benefits of smiling and laughter:

  Smiling and laughter relaxes the entire body and its muscles, relieving physical tensions and stress.

  Smiling and laughter boosts the immune system thereby decreasing stress hormones and increasing the level of antibodies that resist disease and illness.

  Having fun triggers the release of endorphins - the body's "happy" chemicals that make a person feel good, engendering a general sense of wellbeing.

  Having a good time protects the heart by improving the function of blood vessels and blood flow, thus preventing heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

  Smiling and laughter is a great communicator.

  A spot of laughter helps dissolve distressing emotions making it very hard to feel anxious, angry or sad.

  During busy working days laughter helps relax and recharge a person by reducing stress and increasing energy, allowing for greater focus and increased productivity.

  A positive attitude engenders spontaneity and the ability to think of solutions without the encumbrances of the problems being faced.

  Enables us to express our true feelings, thus allowing us relate more realistically and honestly to situations and demands.

What you can do

Taking part in National Smile Month is easy. Stick up one of our educational posters. Distribute some ‘smiles on sticks’ (with our three tips for great oral health) and have a ‘smileathon’. Or help your employees concerned about their oral health by passing on details about our free and independent helpline service – smileline on 0845 063 1188.