Women face heightened oral health risks compared to men, thanks to the hormonal fluctuations associated with menstruation, birth control, and menopause.[1]

Now, newly-released data from the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme’s Oral Health Index has shown that more women (48%) believe there has been no improvement to accessing dental services since the pandemic, compared to men (32%).

The Index also found that nearly a third (32%) of women report they are less likely to visit a dentist due to the cost-of-living-crisis. 

The findings precede the publication of the Government’s Dental Recovery Plan, which is due to be released ahead of the new year in an effort to tackle the UK’s NHS dental crisis.

Unaffordable dentistry is also hitting young people hard. 56% of people aged 25 to 34-years-old believe their dental health will suffer amidst soaring living costs, and 1 in 3 would consider exploring overseas treatment options for affordability.*

Separate research from Frontier Economics has shown the value preventative oral health measures – like chewing more sugar-free gum – could deliver, by avoiding the need for urgent treatments and making the need for check-ups less frequent.

Introducing supervised toothbrushing programmes for children, expanding water fluoridation schemes, and encouraging the public to chew sugar-free gum could together save the NHS over £50 million per year, and save NHS dental patients £95.9m.[2]

British Dental Association Chair Eddie Crouch said: “Cost of living and access crises are creating a perfect storm. Millions are thinking twice about needed care if they’re lucky enough to find an appointment, while others are looking abroad. Every day that passes our patients are making choices that put their oral health at risk. The government cannot remain asleep at the wheel.”

Michael Dodds, BDS PhD, Senior Principal Scientist with the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme said: “It is crucial that any forward plan for dentistry considers preventive measures, such as promoting sugar-free gum, to enhance peoples’ oral health and ease pressures on our dental services. The Oral Health Index’s worrying findings show us that people risk missing out on much-needed dental treatment, due to pressures on services and the rising cost of living. Maintaining good oral health should not be a luxury – it is an essential part of our overall well-being. It helps people to boost their self-confidence, and enables them to carry out day-to-day activities like eating and speaking without discomfort or pain.

“The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme is committed to continuing working with the dental community, to support education around healthy, affordable oral health routines.”

References:

[1] Benscosme, RDH, MA, CHES, J., 2016. Sex-Based Differences in Oral Health – Dimensions of Dental Hygiene | Magazine. [online] dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com. Available at: <https://dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/article/sex-based-differences-in-oral-health/> [Accessed 26 September 2023].

[2] https://www.frontier-economics.com/uk/en/news-and-articles/news/news-article-i10334-the-economic-value-of-good-oral-health/#

On World Oral Health Day (20th March), EXTRA Gum has revealed its top ten tips to help keep the nation’s teeth and gums healthy, following shocking research that over a third (34 per cent) of ‘Gen Z’ would resort to ‘DIY’ dentistry, including self-tooth extraction, due to a lack of access to a dentist.

The findings, from the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme’s Oral Health Index, revealed that 16 – 24-year-olds are feeling the most pressure to resort to such extreme measures, due to a lack of access to dental care.

In fact, sixty-eight per cent of those surveyed agreed that there is a crisis in the provision of dental services, and over half (54 per cent) agree there is a postcode lottery when it comes to accessing dental services – with many experts calling for greater awareness of prevention tactics.

Dr Ben Atkins, Dentist and Oral Health Foundation Trustee, says: “Achieving healthy teeth takes a lifetime of care. While we know more can be done to promote oral health, we must not discredit the low-cost, impactful prevention tactics Brits can start adopting today. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing are important steps, but in addition sugarfree gum is an effective, accessible and inexpensive way to protect teeth on the go.” 

The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme’s Oral Health Index highlights the important role that at-home prevention measures can play in protecting the oral health of the nation, particularly while many people across the UK are struggling to access regular dental care.

Good oral hygiene habits can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. Brushing and flossing are staples in a good dental routine. However, there are other things you can do to help maintain healthy teeth and gums.

On World Oral Health Day, it’s time to brush up on your smile to ensure you’re keeping your teeth and gums healthy – from the usual brushing and flossing to chewing sugar-free gum!

1. Two minutes, twice a day: It may sound obvious, but brushing at least twice daily, ideally last thing at night and at one other time during the day is important because it removes plaque which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
2. Finding the perfect brush: It doesn’t matter if you use an electric or manual toothbrush, both are equally good, as long as you use them correctly. Best practice includes using a soft-bristled toothbrush, with a small head (no larger than 1.5 cm) and a long thin neck to reach the back teeth.
3. Use mouthwash (but only at the right time): Don’t rinse (even if using a fluoride mouthwash) after toothbrushing as this will wash away the fluoride and stop the toothpaste from being so effective. Consider a different time to use mouthwash to when you brush your teeth, such as after lunch.
4. It’s also a no to H2O (immedently after brushing): As with fluoride mouthwash, you should spit out after brushing and avoid rinsing your mouth out with water, which will wash away the fluoride and reduce the benefits.
5. Chew sugar-free gum after you’ve eaten a meal:  After eating or drinking, plaque acids can attack teeth and initiate the demineralisation of the tooth surface, which can weaken teeth and lead to decay over time. Chewing 2-3g of sugar-free gum, like Extra®, for 20 minutes three times a day increases the production of saliva which can help neutralise plaque acid, wash away food particles and maintains tooth enamel to strengthen teeth. In fact, the evidence of sugarfree gum was proven through a 2022 systematic review by King’s College London which demonstrated that sugarfree gum reduces the quantity of plaque in the oral cavity and could reduce cavities by 28%[1]. Why not keep some in your bag or in the car – an easy way to clean away the day’s debris.
6. Try to brush your tongue: A build-up of plaque on the tongue is not only bad for mouth odour but can also lead to other oral health problems. Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath and will clean your mouth by removing bacteria.
7. Snacking worth smiling about: It is not the amont of sugary foods and drinks that we eat that causes the most damage, it is how often we have them. Choose snacks, such as cheese, bread sticks, rice cakes, raw vegetables, nuts and seeds. Try to avoid dried fruit which can stick in the teeth and cause decay
8. Reduce plaque attacks: When we eat or drink anything, the sugars react with the plaque in our mouths and produce plaque acids. These plaque acids lower the pH level in our mouth and our mouths become acidic, this is the time that the enamel on our teeth is under attack and at risk of dental decay. After eating or drinking anything wait for one hour before brushing your teeth, this will allow the saliva to re-mineralise the enamel, if you brush too soon, you could brush any loosened particles of enamel away which could eventually lead to enamel erosion.
9. Brush smarter not harder: develop effective brushing habits so you can have healthier teeth. Placing the head of your toothbrush against your teeth, then tilt the bristle tops to a 45 degree angle against the gumline and brush in small circular movements for 2-3 minutes. Try putting music on and brush for the length of a song, or try apps like ‘Brush DJ’ which can be used for this – its free an anyone can use it!
10. Out with the old: Change your toothbrush every 3 months or as soon as the filaments begin to splay.

The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme is proud to work with dental professionals to promote the role of at-home oral health tools that play an important role in preventative oral healthcare. Measures like brushing twice a day and flossing are key, whilst tools like sugar-free gum can play a vital part in protecting people’s oral health when they’re on the go.

[1] Nasseripour M, Newton JT, Warburton F, et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Role of Sugar-Free Chewing Gum on Plaque Quantity in the Oral Cavity. AND Front Oral Health. 2022;3:845921. Published 2022 Mar 30. doi:10.3389/froh.2022.845921 Banerjee A. et al (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of sugar-free chewing gum in dental caries. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31743654/

Over a third (34%) of ‘Gen Z’ respondents to a new poll agree they would resort to ‘DIY’ dentistry measures, including self-tooth extraction, due to a lack of access to dental care. Shockingly, 16 – 24 year olds are feeling the most pressure to resort to such extreme measures, compared to just 12% of respondents over the age of 55. Experts are calling for the Government to prioritise putting prevention at the heart of dental care

Launching today, the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme’s Oral Health Index has revealed that respondents overwhelmingly want the Government to do more to support the dental profession.

Over three quarters (77%) of people surveyed agreed that the Government could do more to promote oral health – with only 4% disagreeing.

Recent NHS dentistry statistics revealed a 9.5% decrease[1] in adults being seen for NHS dental treatment in the 24 months up to June 2022 from the previous year, and a 25% reduction in the 24 months up to June 2019.

The real life impact of this has been reflected in the Index. 68% of those surveyed agreed that there is a crisis in the provision of dental services, and, over half (54%) agree there is a postcode lottery when it comes to accessing dental services. A recent House of Commons briefing paper on dentistry evidenced this, revealing that dental schools are unevenly distributed across the country and places like the East of England have none[2].

With the Government’s Health and Social Care Committee launching an inquiry into NHS dentistry, it is vital that prevention in oral healthcare is recognised as a priority to support the dental industry and protect the nation’s oral health.

The Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme is proud to work with dental professionals to promote the role of at-home oral health tools that play an important role in preventative oral healthcare. Measures like brushing twice a day and flossing are key, whilst tools like sugarfree gum can play a vital part in protecting people’s oral health when they’re on the go.

British Dental Association Chair Eddie Crouch said:

“In a civilised society no one with toothache should be reaching for pliers and a bottle of gin. Underfunded and overstretched, COVID has pushed already struggling services to breaking point, leaving millions with no options. This access crisis was made in Westminster. Government has a moral responsibility to consign ‘DIY dentistry’ back to the Victorian era.”

Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation said:

“DIY dentistry is often seen a last resort and is sadly becoming more common as the UK faces growing problems accessing NHS dentistry. By performing their own dental treatment, a person can cause severe and long-term damage to their mouth. This should be avoided at all costs.

“By adopting a few simple habits, people can prevent oral diseases like tooth decay and gum disease, that sadly remain far too common.”

Michael Dodds, Senior Principal Scientist for Oral Health at Mars Wrigley said:

“Our survey has revealed some critical statistics about the lengths people would go to rectify their oral health challenges, even going so far as considering extracting their own teeth. While we know that dentists have done – and continue to do – all they can to support patients through the impact that COVID-19 has had, ongoing challenges like the cost of living mean we need to look for low-cost, impactful ways to protect your oral health. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing are important steps, but in addition sugarfree gum is an effective, accessible and inexpensive way to protect your teeth on the go.”

References:

[1] https://digital.nhs.uk/news/2022/9.5-decrease-in-adults-seen-by-dentists-in-past-two-years

[2] https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9597/CBP-9597.pdf