Patient Insights
What are the latest oral health trends?
Our studies show that the proportion of the population with natural teeth has increased during the past five years and patients generally perceive their teeth as healthy. The improvement in oral hygiene is the result of a number of different factors:
- Increasing affluence
- Better education
- Changing lifestyles and values
- Improved standards of dental care
- A wider range of products available
- New/improved products
- Greater awareness of personal care/hygiene
- More marketing/advertising/promotion
- Fluoride in the water system (and in some toothpaste)
Perhaps the biggest change, however, is in the modern preventative approach to dental care. In previous generations, extractions and false teeth were routine. Now, with an emphasis on teaching good oral care from a young age and new technology producing more effective products, the emphasis is firmly on preventative care.
What is the gap between patient attitudes and practices?
Despite progressive attitudes towards oral care in the general population, genuine understanding of oral health has not moved at the same pace. People realise the importance of brushing after meals to remove debris and residual bacteria, but the distinctions between dental and gum health problems are still quite vague. This also extends to the distinctions between plaque and tartar.
There is, however, a greater understanding of the balance between good brushing technique and toothpaste, and that their combination is more important to good oral hygiene than either one individually.
What do patients think about oral care?
Our research identified seven opinions that people have towards their own – and other people's – oral care.
Your mouth is an indicator of your personal hygiene:
Oral care is a sign of how 'clean' you are, how much you care about yourself. Poor oral hygiene has the potential for huge social embarrassment.
A nice smile is a smile to be proud of:
People measure themselves, and others, by the state of their teeth and smile. It is a sign of wellbeing, both internal ('I feel happy') and external ('I/you have a healthy mouth').
No one has perfect teeth:
Individuals judge their teeth (look and feel) by personal standards rather than the unattainable standard of 'perfect teeth'. People cannot change their teeth unless they undergo cosmetic or orthodontic treatment. The overriding attitude is to make the most of what you have got.
Breath, not tooth health, is a more important concern during the day:
People worry about their breath throughout the day. Tooth health is thought about more frequently when actually brushing.
Dental professionals represent authority:
Dental recommendation is valued and many will change their behaviour following advice from Dentists/Hygienists.
Dental problems are caused by personal inadequacies:
Individuals put a great deal of trust into the oral care products they buy. If they experience problems, they are more likely to blame themselves for cleaning poorly, insufficiently, incompletely or, in some cases, too vigorously.
Importance of 'good teeth' is re-enforced when things go wrong:
The fear of loosing teeth/having false teeth is traumatic for many patients. At the same time, people anticipate keeping their own teeth longer than previous generations and recognise the importance of good oral hygiene – even if they don't always practise what they preach.
