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What is Growing Smiles?

Growing Smiles is a complementary therapy to regular dental visits offering virtual coaching, online live chats, advise and tips to help you help yourself have a healthier smile for life. Access to 24/7 evidence based oral health information and to buy products recommended by the professionals.

Growing Smiles️ 5 hours ago

What oral health advice do you remember from your childhood? Has it changed? Let us know👇 This years National Smile Month marks 50 years of helping people understand the importance of a healthy mouth – but how far have we really come? Let's talk about it. Talking Teeth Thursday 7pm FB #NationalSmileMonth #TalkingTeethThursday #GrowingSmilesUK #OralHealth #Prevention #HealthySmiles #KnowYourRisk #PreventionIsBetterThanCure

Growing Smiles️ 5 hours ago

Growing Smiles️ 3 days ago

How do you manage mouthcare for someone with cognitive decline? Before a toothbrush is in sight, the mouthcare experience has started. For someone living with dementia, a rushed approach can cause anxiety before a word is said. That’s why the first 10 seconds of care are key for a healthy smile. We are delighted to share valuable insights from our friend and elder care expert, Jane Peterson, founder of Knowledge Oral Health Care. Jane breaks explains how slowing down, pausing, and building trust can change the mouthcare routine for both carer and the person with cognitive decline. A calm beginning is the foundation of person-centered care. Read Jane's practical advice on mastering those first 10 seconds at https://growingsmiles.co.uk/the-first-10-seconds-of-dementia-mouthcare/. #KOHC #KnowledgeOralHealthCare #JanePeterson #DementiaCare #OralHealth #Mouthcare #GrowingSmilesUK #CaregiverSupport #PersonCenteredCare #CognitiveDecline #Carer #cognitivedecline #dentalcare #personalcare

1 Comments

Growing Smiles️ 6 days ago

Match day! What women’s football teaches us about oral health. As we continue to support Larne Football Club its a good time to reflect on a potential blind spot in health, wellbeing and performance. "Is your mouth match-fit" Evidence highlights a trend in elite sport of poor oral health affecting health and performance. Many footballers, including women players, experience high levels of gum disease, tooth decay and tooth wear compared to their not so sporty peers. WHY? Fuel - Training, competition and recovery require energy. Acidic, sugary sports drinks, energy gels and frequent snacking can take their toll on teeth and gums. Dry mouth - mouth breathing, dehydration and stress create a perfect storm for bacteria to score without any interference from a referee, (we won't mention VAR!). Daily routines and healthy habits - around 25% of players don't brush twice a day and only 5% clean between teeth daily. The cornerstone for healthy teeth and gums can quickly result in an own goal. Professional dental care - the ability to access and attend regularly can be a challenge. Competition, training, travel etc often make getting and attending appointments at a suitable time difficult. And its not just on the pitch where performance counts. Ever increasing media commitments demand performance on and off the field - your smile matters. Whether you're scoring (or saving) goals, coaching from the sidelines or shouting from the stands (or at the TV), your mouth needs a solid defensive strategy and first team care. GrowingSmiles.co.uk is here to help you, help yourself have a healthier smile for the sporting life you lead. #LarneFCWomen #LarneFCAcademy #LarneAcademyofSport #sport #football #womensfootball #nifl #NIwomenspremiership #WSL #uksportsdentistry #SportsNutrition #fitnessandhealth

Growing Smiles️ 7 days ago

How to you, as a parent, grandparent or carer care for baby teeth? Oral health coach LeighGS is here to help you with that. Got a question? Let us know

Growing Smiles️ 1 week ago

They're only baby teeth! They will fall out. One of oral health coach LeighGS's favourite topics - baby teeth. Did you know - First tooth appears around 6 months of age The last one isn't replaced until around 12 years of age Children need healthy teeth - to eat to speak to smile They rely on YOU to look after their smile. BABY TEETH MATTER! Let's talk about it. Talking Teeth Thursday 7pm Facebook Live. Got a question? Let us know. We are here to help. #Talkingteeth #babyteethmatter #childrenssmiles #oralhealth #parenting

Growing Smiles️ 2 weeks ago

Bank Holiday reminder! 🌞 Enjoy the sun but stay safe and hydrated in the heat.⛱️👒🕶 When you go take a peek at the colour 👀🚽💧 If it’s dark, grab a drink. 🚰 Staying hydrated helps your whole body and your mouth too. A dry mouth increases your risk of tooth decay, plaque buildup up, bad breath and discomfort.😁 Enjoy the sunshine. Keep your cool and sip water 😎💧 #BankHoliday #Hydration #HealthySmile #growingsmilesuk #OralHealth #drinkwater

Growing Smiles️ 2 weeks ago

Talking Teeth Thursday with oral health coach LeighGS talking about improving your oral hygiene. Easy tips to improve your oral health and overall health and wellbeing. Got a Q? Let us know.

Growing Smiles️ 2 weeks ago

We often get asked how I can improve my oral hygiene? I think my teeth are clean but my dentist/dental hygienist says I need to brush better? But how? Let's talk about one way to improve oral hygiene at home. Talking Teeth Thursday 7pm Facebook/growingsmilesuk Tips and tools at growingsmiles.co.uk

Growing Smiles️ 2 weeks ago

🦷 CHECK UP TUESDAY 🦷 Our reminder to take 2 minutes TODAY to CHECK YOUR MOUTH. Mouth cancer cases are increasing. Good reason to know your risk and check your mouth every month. 1. Know what's normal in your mouth. 2. Don’t ignore changes. If it doesn’t - Look right Feel right 3. Act - contact your dental team or Dr. How to check your mouth and more at https://growingsmiles.co.uk/healthy-tips-for-happy-teeth-and-oral-health/mouth-cancer-2/ #CheckUpTuesday #MouthCancerAwareness #KnowYourRisk #CheckYourMouth #OralHealth HealthySmile GrowingSmilesUK OralHealthEducation DentalHealth MouthCancerAction

Growing Smiles️ 2 weeks ago

🦷 CHECK UP TUESDAY 🦷 Our reminder to take 2 minutes TODAY to CHECK YOUR MOUTH. Mouth cancer cases are increasing. Good reason to know your risk and check your mouth every month. 1. Know what's normal in your mouth. 2. Don’t ignore changes. If it doesn’t - Look right Feel right 3. Act - contact your dental team or Dr. How to check your mouth and more at https://growingsmiles.co.uk/healthy-tips-for-happy-teeth-and-oral-health/mouth-cancer-2/ #CheckUpTuesday #MouthCancerAwareness #KnowYourRisk #CheckYourMouth #OralHealth #HealthySmile #GrowingSmilesUK #OralHealthEducation #DentalHealth #MouthCancerAction

Growing Smiles️ 3 weeks ago

Whether it be personal or part of a population, change has an impact on all aspects of life. Including oral health. Let's talk about it. Got a question? Let us know. Oral health coach LeighGS is here to help you, help yourself have a healthier smile for life. Tips and tools at GrowingSmiles.co.uk

A grey and red set of teeth depicting talking to each other about oral health wearing shoes on a grey background

Join us for Talking Teeth Thursday live every week 7-8pm on Facebook, our oral health expert will be ready to answer your queries.

*Talking Teeth Thursday time subject to occasional change. Time confirmed each week on Facebook/social media.

What our Clients Have to Say

A Positive Coaching Session with Growing Smiles

My experience of GS was very positive. Just having a better understanding of what the dentist is checking for, why certain things like dental cleaning are important and how my mouth works in regards to eating and drinking gave me motivation to make more effort and a feeling of control in my oral health that I had not experienced before. The whole approach was relaxed and felt personal to me. I love the partnership involved in the process opposed to lying in a chair while someone looks around your mouth and doesn’t say a word to you about what is going on in there. Although it is not a replacement for visiting your dentist I feel it will make a big difference to how I feel on future visits. I am more knowledgeable about my oral health and just being able to understand what is happening and what the dentist is talking about makes the whole experience less unpleasant. I would most definitely recommend GS to others.

Sandra, Ballycarry

A Fun and Interesting Session with Growing Smiles

I first met Leigh when she delivered a very informative talk to a business seminar I attended. Immediately after the session, I invited Leigh to deliver a family session for me, my wife and 3 kids (of 16, 14 and 12) at our home. The session was quickly arranged, and Leigh made it really fun for the kids and interesting for all of us; we learnt lots as a family that we continue to keep each other in check on. Delighted with the session and for the longer-term benefits that we will gain as a family. I would recommend Leigh and her Growing Smiles service to anyone.

Learning the Importance of Flossing

Thanks to Growing smiles I’m taking much better care of my teeth – and feel the benefits of the extra effort! I flossed before but hadn’t realised that I didn’t do it right What a great idea – I just didn’t realise my mouth was so important to my health. I was able to ask lots of questions about my mouth and found the whole thing really useful. I’ve even made a dental appointment for the first time in years! ???? I understand more about why I need dental treatment and what I can do to prevent problems. I know what and how I need to look after my teeth and gums – or spend more time – and money at the dentist! Thank you.

MH, Belfast

A Great Family Coaching Session

Our GS appointment was very positive and relaxed. Our two children aged 4 & 5 really enjoyed it, unlike their usual visits to the dentist, they actually let Leigh look in their mouths. They also now have more understanding of the importance of brushing twice a day and not snacking or drinking anything other than water between meals. I gained far more of an understanding about how things work in my mouth and how to care for and prevent problems. I was surprised how little I actually knew. It’s always been the case of treat a problem as it arises by a visit to the dentist and hope that regular check ups and brushing after every meal could reduce my risk of decay. By making small changes to my dental hygiene routine I feel I’m giving my teeth and gums much better care. I am much more conscious of the way I brush and floss to ensure a maximum clean. It has also given me peace of mind, now that we as a family are more informed, we can reduce or hopefully eliminate the risk of cavities, in conjunction with our regular dental check ups. I have and will be recommending Growing Smiles to friend’s family.

GS Helped me ask my Dental Team for the Correct Treatment

I have a fixed appliance on my lower teeth, there was staining from tea on the glue and I hadn’t got my teeth descaled since the appliance was fitted a year and a half ago, it was really annoying me. Before I had my GS consultation I asked if I could get my teeth cleaned and my dentist said I’d have to get the wires removed teeth cleaned then put back on. But during my GS consultation I was advised of the exact cleaning treatment to ask my hygienist to give me, all without wires needing to be removed. I’m so pleased now that my teeth are clean and descaled again. I can smile with confidence once more.

Time well spent with Leigh from Growing Smiles

Growing Smiles has been a really positive experience for me. I’ve learnt so much from Leigh and was surprised how little I knew about my oral health. I was always led to believe that “brushing twice a day” was enough and although I’m sure it’s a good start there is other simple things I could be doing. Leigh showed me even the simplest things like how to brush my teeth the best way for my mouth to get the most out of my general and oral health.

I saw Leigh only two weeks after visiting with my own dentist and now realise how little time you get to discuss your needs fully with a dentist like being able to see with Leigh’s intraoral camera how much plague was building up on my teeth and she was able to recommend that I see a hygienist which she helped me arrange.

I feel so much better informed about my oral health now and will definitely be recommending Leigh to others.

Oral Health Coaching Session

I recently had an online consultation with Leigh. I felt comfortable asking her questions about my concerns. She has a positive outlook and the knowledge and expertise to ease my worries. She was able to help me on handling my electric toothbrush and recommended some products I would not be able to get otherwise, which I am trying now. I recommend to anyone concerned about their oral health, or just as a refresher to book a consultation, there will be something to learn. I look forward to talking with Leigh again as I progress.

Linnet

Oral Health Coaching

I have found Growing Smiles invaluable in providing expert oral advice and support. This year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I’m currently on chemotherapy. No one fully prepared me for how this treatment impacts on your mouth and teeth, or what you can do to prevent and manage oral side effects. I do have an amazing dentist, who has been an incredible support but he was limited in what he could offer until the treatment is completed.

I have always been meticulous in taking care of my teeth and the visual deterioration of my teeth and gums propelled me into high anxiety, in addition to managing the rollercoaster of emotions and challenges associated with the cancer journey.

I found the Growing Smiles organisation online and reached out to Leigh for a consultation.

Leigh immediate put me at ease with her sensitive, understanding and genuine caring approach. Our conversation relieved so much anxiety about my teeth and she gave me preventative practical advice and solutions to manage/minimise side effects. Leigh was incredibly knowledgeable and an expert in oncology oral care field.

I will never forget her help and I would strongly recommend others to reach out to Growing Smiles for advice and support.

Thank you, Vic.

Vic