Britons who have sensitive teeth should not ignore the problem and instead should book a check-up with an emergency dentist to assess the issue.

A survey conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry revealed sensitive teeth can be a sign of enamel erosion or indicate receding gums, both problems which people should talk to their dentist about in order to resolve the issue.

In addition, individuals suffering from a dry mouth might also want to consult their dentist.

Dr Gigi Meinecke commented: "This is a problem because these oral conditions can lead to serious consequences."

Meanwhile, a study was recently carried out at the University of Gothenburg which showed that foods with a high alkaline content could be damaging to the organic parts of the teeth. As a result, researchers noted that those who eat alkaline-rich foods are more likely to develop sensitive teeth and see erosion of their tooth enamel.

There is a growing gap between those with good and poor oral health in the UK, it has been revealed.

Research carried out by the British Dental Association (BDA) has shown that in the poorest areas of Britain, 60 per cent of five-year-olds and 70 per cent of eight-year-olds have signs of decay in their baby teeth.

This is compared to 40 per cent and 55 per cent respectively in more affluent areas, highlighting a noticeable gap in oral health standards.

Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser to the BDA, said: "There has been a significant improvement in the nation’s overall oral health over the last 30 years, but despite that we still see a huge disparity that is all-too-often related to social deprivation."

Meanwhile, the American Academy of Periodontology recently noted that regular flossing could help people improve their overall health by removing bacteria and foods in the mouth, which, if left unchecked, could cause problems if bacteria seeped into the bloodstream.

Anyone who suffers from halitosis should not fret as there are a number of ways to tackle the problem, it has been argued.

Cosmetic dentist Elisa Mello told WCBS there are a number of remedies which people can take up to tackle bad breath.

"We all have bacteria in our mouth. The problem is that when one bacteria or a few of different strains become more dominant, they can cause decay in you mouth," she said.

Therefore, Dr Mello noted that making sure a person stays well hydrated is key as this enables enough saliva to be produced in the mouth. Also, chewing gum could be beneficial as this too promotes saliva production.

Elsewhere, AsiaOne recently reported that Brits should brush their teeth regularly to ensure they maintain a good standard of oral health throughout their lives.

Dr Chung Kong Mun, president of the Society of Periodontology, noted regular check-ups and setting up an oral health profile with a dental professional are also recommended for healthy teeth and gums.

The level of oral health is continuously improving, it has been asserted.

According to Chris Ide, an occupation physician writing for the Safety and Health Practitioner, there has been a marked difference in the number of people with problems with their teeth in recent years.

He noted research that showed certain people were more likely to have decayed, missing or filled teeth – pointing out a study from Finland that showed confectionary employees are more at risk.

Other workplaces that involve exposure to vapours, such as acid vapours and mists, as well as jobs that see people work with fertilisers or batteries, which can contain damaging substances, were highlighted as having employees with high instances of dental health issues.

However, Mr Ide pointed out that the amount of decay declined as he studied later research, demonstrating that the standard of oral health has increased.

I’ve been examining patients and employees for about 40 years and one of the most striking changes I’ve noticed during this time has been the general improvement in dental health," he remarked.

According to the Dental Health Site, drinking more water, chewing gum and using a straw to drink potential teeth staining drinks can all help maintain good oral hygiene.