What has the pandemic done to our oral health?

A recent national survey of dentists saw 82% report an increase in the number of patients they are seeing that require fillings following the pandemic.

All of the dentists surveyed reported an increase in common oral health issues across the board including:

• Toothache.

• Tooth abscess.

• Sensitivity.

• Severe plaque build-up.

• Gum disease.

• Tooth decay.

As we enter another year of disrupted routines, it's important to spend time maintaining our oral health - not only for good oral hygiene but also because of the links this has to our overall health.

Research suggests the oral health of the nation has declined over the course of the pandemic. Most Brits are saying they abandoned their oral health during various stages of lockdown as they adapted to the shift in normality. A change in people's daily routines, driven by lockdown and working from home, seems to be the cause of oral care routines being neglected.

Dr Alex George and leading dentist Dr Monik Vasant want to help people recognise the importance of looking after their mouths. This comes as 20% of Brits admit they only brush their teeth once a day and 22% have gone for more than three days without brushing at all.

Dr George wants to encourage good oral health habits as a way of improving your general health.

This follows the survey finding a low awareness of the link between oral health and overall health. Almost 28% of participants were unaware that oral conditions can lead to wider health conditions.

"Your mouth is a gateway to your overall health. Dental issues such as gum problems have been linked with health issues including داء السكري من النوع 2, أمراض القلب والأوعية الدموية, respiratory disease and even الخرف, which is why it's so important to include looking after your mouth as part of a wider health routine," says Dr George.

Dr Vasant is urging patients to prioritise their oral care routines at home and return to the dentist for regular oral care check-ups once COVID-19 guidelines allow.

Almost half of Brits, 43%, admit they haven't been to the dentist since before the pandemic hit in March 2020.

"The social factors surrounding the pandemic, such as lockdown and home working, have led to a decline in many people's oral health. People don't realise that not brushing your teeth twice a day, even just for two weeks, can result in a build-up in plaque that can have a lasting impact. We're seeing this play out with the increase of patients presenting with gum disease and tooth decay," he shares.

To get back on track with your oral health, Dr George and Dr Vasant are encouraging people to:

• Brush twice a day for two minutes.

• Change your brush or brush head every three months.

• Clean in between your teeth.

• Use fluoride toothpaste with antibacterial ingredients to look after your whole mouth, not just your teeth.

Dr Vasant adds: "A healthy body starts with a healthy mouth, and growing an understanding about this is essential to encourage a return to better oral hygiene routines. Good oral health begins at home, not in the dentist's chair."