Put festive smile on your face with free toothbrushes and paste

Families in Wolverhampton are being invited to pick up free toothbrushes and toothpaste from locations around the city between now and the end of the year.

They are being provided as part of a drive by the City of Wolverhampton Council and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to improve oral hygiene, particularly among youngsters.

Free toothbrushes and toothpaste are available from Central Library, Graiseley Family Hub, WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams, WV Active Central and WV Active Aldersley until the end of December.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: "Tooth decay is the most common oral disease affecting children and young people in England, yet it is largely preventable.

“Poor oral health impacts on school readiness and leads to missed days of school due to pain and infection. It affects children’s ability to eat, smile and socialise, negatively impacting their confidence and wellbeing, and it also increases demand on emergency dental care, with almost 90% of hospital tooth extractions among children aged up to five due to preventable tooth decay.

"We want to give every child the healthy smile they deserve and are delighted to be working with the NHS to make free toothbrushes and toothpaste available to families across the city, particularly those who are struggling with the rising cost of living.”

Meanwhile, the council and the NHS has teamed up to develop an online toolkit to help promote good oral health. Available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/oralhealthtoolkit, it is aimed at a range of professionals working with children and young people in health and education settings.