As the recent Self-Care Week encouraged us to focus on both mind and body, it’s a timely reminder that a truly holistic view of wellbeing must include a vital, but often overlooked, element of our health: our oral health. Looking after our mouths is not just about teeth and gums; it is a fundamental part of maintaining overall physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Barriers to better oral health
Across the UK, many people continue to face significant barriers that prevent them from caring for their mouths better. These are rooted not only in access to NHS dental care, but in prioritisation, as well as health literacy. For example, around 25% of adults brush only once day[1], despite NHS guidance to brush twice daily[2], and incorrect use of mouthwash remains common[3]. High sugar intake is also a persistent issue, with UK residents obtaining 9-12.5% of daily calories from free sugars, more than double recommended levels[4].
Our Health Inclusivity Index, developed in partnership with Economist Impact, shows that these challenges are amplified for lower-income groups where inequitable access to care and lower oral health literacy likely contribute to worse outcomes. More than one in three adults in the most deprived UK communities have untreated dental caries, compared with one in five in the least deprived[5]. The impact of oral problems, like pain and complications, are almost three times higher for those in deprived groups[6].
The role of prevention
With routine dental appointments harder to access for many, and gaps in health literacy making it harder to practice good oral care at home, the case for preventative oral healthcare has never been clearer. However, landing this message with people across the UK can be challenging. With the cost-of-living still high, we must remind people of the importance of taking care of their oral health. While visiting an oral health professional remains essential, true self-care involves building everyday habits that protect oral health before problems arise.
Part of this involves embedding good oral health habits during childhood. The Health Inclusivity Index recommends[7] that oral health education is built into the national curriculum for children. This is something that Haleon is already proud to support through our work with the Aquafresh Shine Bright Academy, where we deliver curriculum-aligned resources to schools across the UK, including those in areas where the need is greatest, through our new partnership with Tesco Stronger Starts.
But this education shouldn’t stop there: these messages should be reinforced throughout people’s lives. From accessible national public education around diet and oral hygiene, to better equipping a range of healthcare professionals to have conversations about oral health, it is important that we reinforce the importance of taking care of our teeth and gums.
Delivering evidence-based advice
Oral health professionals are critically important in delivering advice to patients on how to look after their oral health at home, as well as reinforcing the importance of regular check-ups.
While more than six in ten (63.6%) oral health professionals in the UK believe the nation’s oral health has worsened in the past year[8], our research with the College of General Dentistry, the Dental Health Barometer, showed that there is often an implementation gap for preventative advice. 87% of oral care professionals believe that preventative action on oral care is beneficial for patients, but there was room for improvement in delivering it[9].
It therefore essential that we support oral health professionals to close this gap. The Dental Health Barometer recommends that this might be through the profession ensuring there is enhanced continuing professional development (CPD) on delivering preventative oral health advice, or the Government providing a more consumer-friendly version of the Delivering Better Oral Health care guideline to steer discussions.
Supporting everyday self-care
At Haleon, we understand that we have a role to play too. We are committed to delivering better everyday health, helping people take control of their oral health with products designed to support a variety of needs and lifestyles.
Whether it’s managing tooth sensitivity with Sensodyne, addressing gum health with Corsodyl, or protecting children’s teeth through Aquafresh and the Shine Bright education programme, we provide tools and accessible education that support prevention and build positive habits at every life stage, and in the communities where they are need is most.
We also work with oral health professionals through our Haleon HealthPartner portal, offering ongoing training and resources to support them to have conversations about prevention with their patients.
Our aim is to give people the confidence, education and the solutions, to look after their oral health as part of everyday self-care. As Self-Care Week invites us to connect mind and body, let’s ensure oral health remains part of that conversation, not only in times of pain or emergency, but in the daily routines that keep us well.
About the Author
Dr Kate Fabrikant, Medical Affairs Director Northern Europe, Haleon
References
[1] Oral Health Foundation. Oral health statistics in the UK. United Kingdom. Available from: https://www.dentalhealth.org/oral-healthstatistics#:~:text=31%25,of%20adults%20have%20tooth%20decay.
[2] NHS. How to keep your teeth clean United Kingdom: National Health Service (NHS). Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/how-to-keep-your-teeth-clean/.
[3] College of General Dentistry. The Dental Health Barometer. HALEON. Available from: https://cgdent.uk/wp content/uploads/securepdfs/2024/08/DHR-2024-FINAL.pdf.
[4] UK sugar consumption alarming, charity warns. BDJ In Practice. 2024;37(8):268-.
[5] Douglas GVA, Jones K, Dyer TA, et al. The oral health of adults attending dental practices in England in 2018: a report of a novel method and findings. Br Dent J. 2023.
[6] Douglas GVA, Jones K, Dyer TA, et al. The oral health of adults attending dental practices in England in 2018: a report of a novel method and findings. Br Dent J. 2023
[7] The Economist Impact, Health Inclusivity Index, 2025. United Kingdom issue brief, ‘Addressing Tooth Decay in the United Kingdom’. Available from: Health Inclusivity Index | Country insights
[8] Oral Health Survey, Haleon, 2025. Surveys conducted 06.02.2025-14.02.2025 cover a nationally representative sample of 2,001 UK consumers and 250 oral health professionals.
[9] The College of General Dentistry and Haleon. The Dental Health Barometer. 2024. Available from: DHR-2024-FINAL.pdf
