Cost of living crisis contributing to the deterioration of the nation’s oral health

New research commissioned by the charity, Oral Health Foundation has found that more than half (56%) of us believe that oral hygiene is just as, if not more, important than that of the rest of our bodies. But this doesn’t mean we feel we can afford it.

94% of those surveyed have experienced a rise in the cost of living since the start of 2022. And 4 in 5 (82%) of us are making sacrifices to save money. More than half (53%) are willing to forego holidays and days out.

A quarter (25%) of us said they would cut back on dental hygiene products to help pay for costs such as heating, fuel and electricity despite half (49%) of us agreeing that these products are top priorities. Additionally, almost half (45%) said they would sacrifice their own dental hygiene to prioritise their child’s such as buying them dental health items.

Freya spoke o Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive at Oral Health Foundation.

Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash