What You Need to Know About Dentistry in the UK

Although traditionally Brits have been known to have poor dental health, this is not strictly true, and there is evidence to suggest that the UK’s dental health is getting better. However, how can we distinguish between the horrifying myths about the state of the nation’s teeth and the truth? This article aims to inform you of the most important facts that you need to know about dental health in the UK and how you can stop yourself from becoming a statistic.

How many people visit the dentist regularly?

One in five people only visit the dentist when they are in pain, and a third of men only visit the dentist once every five years.

Visiting the dentist regularly is one of the easiest dental care practices that you can do to look after your teeth, making annual appointments to check for decay and other issues. Additionally, it is important to visit the dentist on an annual basis rather than when you are in pain as many problems are only painful when they become serious.

What’s more, dentists have the equipment that they need to solve any issues that you have with your teeth and prevent toothache and pain. If you want to find out more about the equipment that dental practices are supplied with, click here to see the latest dental products UK. However, although dentists are there to help people prevent tooth decay, the statistics can be shocking.

Is childhood decay becoming a problem?

In a government survey, 12% of children under 3 had tooth decay.

However, the statistics are worse when it comes to children, and dental surgeries are the top reason why children are hospitalised in the UK, with over 26,000 children between the ages of 5-9 in hospital for tooth decay related illnesses in the year 2017/18. This is partly due to the rise in the amount of sugary drinks and foods that children are consuming on a daily basis as opposed to in the past. However, education about children’s teeth is improving, and some statistics show that tooth decay in children has recently improved. To prevent tooth decay in your child, you should make sure that they brush their teeth with a low fluoride toothpaste twice a day, in addition to regular dental check-ups as well.

How many people have a proper dental care regime?

 Three out of ten people in the UK brush their teeth twice daily.

With the onset of busy and chaotic lives, most people struggle to balance their families and jobs with the correct dental care routines. This has led to a high number of people having to have tooth extractions. However, it is possible to change the way that you look after your teeth, and you should make sure that you eat foods that are low in sugar and acidity, brush twice daily, use floss and mouthwash, and visit the hygienist regularly to remove staining and plaque.