According to a new report from University College London entitled Periodontal Disease in Modern Day Britain, over half of all adults in Britain are suffering a dental condition known as Periodontitis. In addition to costing the NHS over GBP 2.7 billion annually(2), this chronic dental condition could cost adults an unwanted visit by the tooth fairy, according to new data commissioned by Listerine.

The report findings reveal a nation suffering from periodontal disease, a condition, which causes bad breath and swollen gums, which bleed on brushing or flossing. Left untreated, this can progress to pus-filled cavities, receding gums and loss of tooth support. Despite the prevalence of the disease, recent survey results suggest that more than 80% of adults have not heard of the condition or cannot identify its symptoms(3).

Lack of awareness and prevention take a toll in the form of professional extractions to remove teeth in diseased areas of the mouth(2). With periodontal disease already widespread in the UK, the findings of Periodontal Disease in Modern Day Britain offer a bleak prognosis for the nation’s oral health, aggravated by a series of contributory factors.

- Oral hygiene routines remain lax

Periodontal disease is caused by oral bacteria, or plaque, which colonizes on teeth, between teeth and under the gumline, where toothbrush bristles cannot reach. Over time, these bacteria infect the gum’s soft tissue and the jaw bone, leading to lost tooth support. The most important way of protecting against plaque is through effective self care(4). Tooth-brushing alone addresses bacteria living in only 24% of the mouth(5), so effective oral care needs to include a combination of tooth-brushing, flossing and twice-daily use of an anti-bacterial mouthwash(4) to clean the entire mouth. Mouthwashes containing essential oils, such as Listerine, can kill (in lab tests) up to 99.9% of oral bacteria(6) and can reduce up to 52% more plaque than brushing and flossing alone.(4)

- Growing long in the tooth

Periodontal disease is more common amongst the elderly. Approximately 67% of people aged over 65 suffer, compared to 47% of 25 - 34 year-olds(1), and the ageing population is growing(7). If rates of periodontal disease continue to rise in proportion with the ageing population, by 2030, 8 million members of today’s over-35 population could suffer from advanced Periodontitis.

- The mouth-body connection

Several medical conditions have been linked to severity of periodontal disease. Diabetes mellitus (Type 2) is one of them(8). There are currently over 2.3 million people with diabetes in the UK. Dentists advise those suffering from diabetes to take extra care of their teeth and gums, but it is estimated that up to 750,000 people in the UK do not know that they are living with diabetes(9). The ageing population, combined with the high incidence of obesity (currently 24% of all UK adults(10)), mean that by 2036 there will be approximately 20% more cases of Type 2 diabetes in the UK than in 2000(11).

Front line dental care in short supply

Pressure on dental services is at an all time high. Despite this, at last estimate, there were 21,000 NHS dentists in the UK(12), providing one dentist for every 2,879 patients. Changes made to the NHS contract in April 2006 have inspired research on NHS dental access in the UK. Recent research estimated that 2.7 million adults have gone without professional dental care in the past two years,(13) mainly because they cannot find an NHS dentist.

Britain’s black spots

People living in the North-West, in Liverpool and Manchester are revealed as being most at risk, suffering disproportionate levels of periodontal disease against the national average(14), compounded by lack of comprehensive dental care in the area. The North-West has the fifth-worst ratio of NHS dentists per capita in Britain with 1 dentist for every 2,304 members of the population. The worst ratios exist in the West Midlands (1:2,581), the East Midlands (1:2,554), Yorkshire & the Humber (1:2,543) and the North East (1:2,493). Slightly better ratios exist in London (1:1,957), the South East Coast (1:1,970), South Central England (1:2,202) and the East of England (1:2,215).(7)

Report author Professor Richard Watt of UCL comments on the situation, “Overall oral health in the UK is improving. However with an aging population and more older people retaining their natural teeth into their old age, periodontal disease is going to be a major issue for a significant number of the population. Periodontal disease is caused by two main factors - accumulation of plaque in the mouth and smoking. To prevent periodontal disease people need to keep their mouths clean and stop smoking.”

Dr. Anthony Zybutz, BDS, of Harley Street says, “Poor oral hygiene is the single most important factor causing periodontal disease. I recommend that my patients maintain an excellent standard of oral hygiene by visiting a competent hygienist on a regular basis, effective brushing twice a day, cleaning between teeth and using a non-staining mouthwash containing essential oils, such as Listerine. It is so effective it kills dangerous oral bacteria within 30 seconds, to keep gums healthy and prevent bad breath.”

The Periodontal Disease in Modern Day Britain report extends from previous research conducted by the Future Foundation(i), on behalf of Listerine which revealed many social and consumer barriers to improved oral healthcare routines in the UK. Findings suggested that these barriers would impact periodontal health and implied that further research had to be done to understand the true threat of periodontal disease to the nation.

Mona El-Kheshen, brand manager for Listerine adds, “We commissioned this report to underline the scale of periodontal disease in the UK and quantify its financial impact. It has painted a worrying picture, and we believe consumers need to be educated about their risks for developing periodontal disease, as well as methods of prevention. We know from clinical trials that effective daily self care, incorporating twice-daily use of Listerine mouthwash can significantly reduce plaque. Coupled with appropriate dental visits, consumers can protect and prolong their healthy smiles.”

Periodontal Disease in Modern Day Britain(i) also reports:

- Seventy five percent of people in the UK are estimated to suffer from some form of gum disease at some point in their lives. More than half the population suffer from moderate Periodontitis. Five percent - as many as three million people suffer from advanced Periodontitis.(1)

- Men are more likely to have periodontal disease (57% compared to 51% females) - 80% of women brush their teeth twice or more per day. Only 65% of men do the same(1)

- Over 13 million Brits only brush their teeth once per day(1)

- Brushing is not a stand-alone defense against plaque. Even patients who brush their teeth immediately before dental examination have been shown to retain visible plaque on nearly one-third of their teeth(1)

- People who have highly flexible working times tend to clean their teeth more frequently, use more oral hygiene aids and have less dental plaque than people with less flexibility(15)

Source: LISTERINE

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