By Dr Elizabeth Crake
University life in Wimbledon is busy: lectures, deadlines, part-time work, late nights and a budget that never quite stretches far enough. Somewhere in the chaos, dental care can slip down the list, right up until a twinge of toothache reminds you it shouldn't have. The good news is that protecting your teeth as a student doesn't take much time or money. A handful of simple, consistent habits will keep your smile healthy through every term, and most of them are completely free.
Get the basics right: brushing and flossing
It sounds obvious, but the foundation of healthy teeth never changes. The NHS recommends brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, last thing at night and on one other occasion, and cleaning between your teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes. A few small tweaks make a big difference:
- Don't rinse with water straight after brushing. Spit out the excess toothpaste but leave the fluoride film on your teeth so it can keep working.
- Brush for a full two minutes. Most of us stop short, a timer or a phone app helps.
- Replace your brush every three months, or sooner if the bristles splay. A frayed brush cleans poorly.
- Carry a travel brush. Handy for long days on campus, library all-nighters or a stay-over after a night out.
Watch the snacking and the energy drinks
Student diets tend to involve a lot of grazing, coffee runs, fizzy drinks, energy drinks before an exam and late-night snacks. It isn't only the amount of sugar that matters, but how often your teeth are exposed to it. Every sugary or acidic hit starts an "acid attack" that softens enamel for a while afterwards. Constant sipping and snacking means your teeth never get a chance to recover.
Try to keep sugary and acidic drinks to mealtimes, use a straw, and finish with water. Energy and sports drinks are particularly acidic, so treat them as an occasional thing rather than a daily habit. If you fancy a coffee while you revise, a plain unsweetened one is far kinder to your teeth than a syrupy iced version.
South-west London has hard water. If you've moved to SW19 from a soft-water area, you may notice tartar building up a little faster, the minerals in hard water aren't harmful, but they can make deposits more visible. It's nothing a regular hygienist visit won't sort. We're a short walk from the High Street, so it's easy to pop in between lectures or before heading onto the Common for a study break.
Don't skip your check-ups
Moving away for university is one of the most common reasons people fall out of the habit of seeing a dentist, and small problems quietly turn into bigger, more expensive ones. Registering with a local practice in Wimbledon means a niggle gets caught early, and you're not left scrambling for an emergency appointment mid-deadline. Here's how often the NHS suggests adults and young people are seen:
| Group | Typical recall interval |
|---|---|
| Children and under-18s | 3–12 months (set by the dentist) |
| Adults at higher risk of dental problems | 3–6 months |
| Adults at lower risk | up to 12–24 months |
| Most students (irregular routines, higher-sugar diet) | around every 6 months |
Your exact interval is decided with your dentist based on your own risk. As a guide, many students benefit from a six-monthly check because student life tends to nudge habits in the wrong direction. See our general dentistry page for what a check-up includes.
Register as a student patient in Wimbledon Village
Dr Elizabeth Crake and the team at The Dental Lounges Wimbledon offer friendly, transparent check-ups that fit around term time.
Book a check-up See general dentistryWhat it costs as a student
NHS dental care is free for under-18s and for 18-year-olds in full-time education. Older students on a low income may qualify for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme, so it's worth checking what you're entitled to. If you'd rather be seen privately for longer, more flexible appointments around your timetable, our prices are clear and confirmed in writing before anything goes ahead:
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| New patient check-up (inc. 2 X-rays & oral cancer screening) | Contact us for current fees |
| Regular patient check-up (X-rays extra) | £80 |
| Standard hygiene clean | £90 |
| Premium Airflow clean | £120 |
| Composite filling (tooth-coloured) | £150–£350 |
| Teeth whitening (Lumiwhite / Enlighten) | £495 / £695 |
Prices are confirmed at your appointment. If you're thinking about brightening your smile for graduation, our teeth whitening options are a safe, dentist-supervised choice.
Protect your teeth and gums beyond brushing
A few extra habits go a long way during the student years:
- Don't smoke or vape. Both increase your risk of gum disease, staining and oral cancer; the Oral Health Foundation has clear guidance on the oral risks.
- Stay hydrated. A dry mouth (from caffeine, alcohol or stress) reduces the saliva that naturally protects your teeth.
- Wear a mouthguard for sport. If you play for a university team, a fitted guard protects against knocks.
- Mind your stress habits. Exam-time jaw clenching and grinding can cause headaches and worn teeth, worth mentioning to us if it's frequent.
None of this needs to be complicated. Build these habits in now and you'll carry a healthy smile well beyond graduation. Whenever you're ready, our friendly team in Wimbledon Village is here to help.
Frequently asked questions
For most adults the NHS recommends a check-up between every 6 months and up to 2 years, depending on your individual risk. Students with a higher-sugar diet, irregular routines or a history of decay are usually advised to stick to every 6 months so small problems are caught early.
NHS dental care is free for under-18s, and for 18-year-olds in full-time education. Many older students on a low income may qualify for help with NHS dental costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. We also offer transparent private check-ups, with new patient examinations including X-rays; contact us for current fees.
South-west London has fairly hard water, which is high in minerals. This isn't harmful to teeth and the small amount of fluoride present can be helpful, but it can contribute to more visible tartar build-up, which is why a regular hygienist visit is worthwhile.
