Managing tooth decay in modern dentistry
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 12th August 2021
Despite the constant innovation and advancement in dentistry, tooth decay remains a leading problem in the UK. It’s thought that over half of the UK population has one or more decayed or damaged teeth, and statistics in younger demographics are just as concerning – with nearly three quarters of children aged 8 to 15 having some signs of decay.[i]
In light of this, it’s important for professionals to think about why tooth decay levels are so high and be prepared to treat patients that do have signs of decay on a regular basis.
Fallout from the pandemic
It’s no understatement to say that the pandemic has had considerable impact on dentistry as an industry. Not all of this has been negative – video calls made patients seek out cosmetic dentistry in record numbers,[ii] while registrations of new students entering the profession has seen a significant spike.[iii] However, the darker side of the pandemic has been the impact that it has had on tooth decay levels across the nation.
It has been suggested that 84% of people in the UK have become at an increased risk of caries since the beginning of the pandemic.[iv] There are a number of factors that have contributed to this. Lack of access to dental services for a considerable part of 2020 left many people without professional care for a long period of time, meaning that any minor decay was likely to have progressed during this time. Add in the fact that many people turned to unhealthier eating and drinking habits during the lockdown period, and it’s easy to see how those who would normally not have had tooth decay may be presenting with it now.
However, with the pandemic simply amplifying a problem that already existed, what are some of the core reasons that tooth decay is so high in the UK?
Diet and other factors
Human teeth can rightly be considered as one of the most extraordinary features of the human body. Over millions of years, they have adapted to become perfectly suited to the blend of meats and plant life that were the core pillars of our diet for generations. However, diets have changed drastically in a very short time. The introduction of higher levels of sugary food at cheaper, more accessible prices means that the majority of people are often consuming more than triple the recommended amount of sugar each day. In light of this, higher levels of decay are no surprise.[v]
Another factor that is likely to be adding to the high levels of decay is the lack of access to dental services in many parts of the nation. In 2019, it was revealed that over a million UK residents were unable to access care as a result of the recruitment and retention crisis in the dental industry.[vi] Pandemic restrictions and fewer patients visiting for appointments has put a number of practices under further considerable strain, with some even closing during this time. As such, it’s likely that the access crisis has only continued to worsen, leaving many individuals without the option of receiving care.
What can dental professionals do to be prepared for these high levels of decay?
Ensure your armamentarium has the best products
Decayed or caries-affected teeth can provide challenges, especially if you want to take a minimally invasive approach to treatment for your patients. As such, it makes sense to explore options that have been specifically developed to work well in a vast array of indications, including caries-affected dentine.
3M Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive is a smart choice for professionals who want to ensure that they can always provide care for those who have suffered from tooth decay. Able to bond to caries-affected dentine just as effectively as it does to sound dentine, the adhesive also prevents secondary decay by creating a well-defined, void-free hybrid layer.*
This ensures that professionals can restore with confidence and overcome a lot of the challenges that carious teeth can provide.
A problem that needs a solution
At the end of the day, levels of tooth decay in the UK remain a significant concern, and one which will continue to provide dentists with challenges moving forwards unless significant changes are made. These changes can’t occur overnight, so it makes sense for professionals to invest in solutions that can help them effectively treat patients that present with caries and other issues, especially if they are to provide the best standard of care.
*3M internal data
For more information, call 08705 360 036 or visit www.3M.co.uk/Scotchbond-Plus
3M and Scotchbond are trademarks of the 3M Company.
Author: John Rafelt
After finishing his PhD in Chemistry in 1999 at York University, John worked as a food analyst at the Government research laboratories and an advisor on research funding working closely with the European Commission. John joined 3M Oral Care in 2002 and is currently Scientific Affairs Manager for the 3M Oral Care UK and Ireland region. John lectures widely on advancements in dental materials and regularly writes articles on the same topic for the dental press.
[i] Mental Health. Tooth Decay. Link: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/tooth-decay-easy-read-guide.pdf [Last accessed May 21].
[ii] Dentistry. The ‘Zoom Boom’ – How COVID-19 Increased interest In cosmetic Dentistry. Link: https://dentistry.co.uk/2020/09/18/zoom-covid-boosted-interest-cosmetic/ [Last accessed May 21].
[iii] Dentistry. Applications For Dental Degrees Spike Amidst Pandemic Uncertainty. Link: https://dentistry.co.uk/2021/02/18/applications-for-dental-degrees-spike-amidst-pandemic-uncertainty/ [Last accessed May 21].
[iv] Dentistry. Eight In Ten at Increased Risk of Caries Since Pandemic, Research Shows. Link: https://dentistry.co.uk/2021/01/19/increased-risk-caries-research-shows/ [Last accessed May 21].
[v] Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation. Report on Diet Finds Most People in the UK Are Consuming Almost Three times the Recommended Daily Sugar Intake. Link: https://www.drwf.org.uk/news-and-events/news/report-diet-finds-most-people-uk-are-consuming-almost-3-times-recommended-daily [Last accessed May 21].
[vi] British Dental Association. 1 Million New Patients Unable To Access NHS Dentistry, As Recruitment and Retention Crisis Mounts. Link: https://bda.org/news-centre/press-releases/Pages/1-million-new-patients-unable-to-access-NHS-dentistry.aspx [Last accessed May 21].
