Weighing up the choices

The focus on oral health in the UK today is perhaps better than ever before. Regular dental visits, proper brushing and flossing techniques, and a balanced diet are all cornerstones of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Still, 39 per cent of the population doesn’t go to the dentist regularly, and up to 66 per cent have visible plaque. That shows despite the strides forward, there is still work to do alerting people to the dangers faced by their teeth and gums.

Whilst things like smoking, drinking and sugar are all associated with poor oral hygiene, people’s weight is not – this is a fallacy. The truth is that whilst a significant portion of the population grapples with the consequences of being overweight or obese, the issues this causes can extend beyond just physical health. It’s believed up to 25.9 per cent of UK adults are obese, and a further 37.9 per cent are overweight but not obese. That’s a ticking health timebomb, and it could affect dentistry and oral health just as much as anything.