Johnson’s Listerine announces periodontitis study

More than half of British adults are suffering the dental condition periodontitis, a new report has warned.

The research was conducted by University College London and Listerine reports that it costs the NHS more than £2.7 billion a year, as well as causing tooth loss among its sufferers.

Report author Professor Richard Watt stated that although oral health is improving, Periodontitis remains a concern, partly as a result of the ageing population.

He explained: “Periodontal disease is caused by two main factors – accumulation of plaque in the mouth and smoking.

“To prevent periodontal disease people need to keep their mouths clean and stop smoking.”

Listerine previously belonged to Pfizer but it sold the business to Johnson & Johnson.

In March, the firm announced the launch of a new children’s fluoride rinse designed to encourage oral health in children by showing them the results of their mouthwashing in the sink afterwards.