HAVING her teeth put into the right position has given a Widnes woman a reason to smile.

Jeannie Purton, aged 30, was teased because her lip being stuck out when she was at school.

She had a brace fitted six months ago and has already seen improvements.

Jeannie, from Ditton, said: “One of the things I was worried about was not only about my lip sticking out but eating and I was also chipping the top teeth.

“Eating could be difficult sometimes and the way I eat now is a lot better to how I was.

“I do smile a lot more and I do feel more confident.”

As part of national smile month, Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontic department is promoting oral health.

Looking after your teeth is important to your overall wellbeing.

Jeannie was referred to Dr Ian Edwards through her dentist and will wear her brace for up to two years.

Dr Edwards said: “Her profile is already starting to improve.

“We’ve got the teeth into a better position and taken two teeth out at the bottom.”

He tailors treatment to suit each individual patient.

Dr Edwards added: “A lot of patients we deal with have a combination of braces and jaw surgery. Some we describe as a sort of jaw deformity or missing or impacted teeth.

“There are groups of patients where their teeth are too far ahead.

“It is not just about aesthetics, it is so that people can function and eat properly. There are a lot of psycho-social improvements for patients.

“It is not just about a smile. It is about everything really.”