An emergency dentistry surge could be the result if people in Scotland do not improve their oral health.
This is the conclusion of the Scottish Health Survey, which showed that 12 per cent of Scots aged 16 or over do not possess any of their natural teeth, missing the national target by two per cent.
It was also discovered that many people have not visited a dentist for more than a year and some do not even know where their nearest one is.
Interestingly, older people in Scotland were found to be more likely to monitor their sugar intake in a bid to remain healthy than those in the 16 to 24 age bracket.
Emma Conroy from Edinburgh Nutrition said people need to limit their intake of sugary food and drink, but Dr Nigel Carter from the British Dental Health Foundation warned that skipping the recommended six-monthly visits to the dentist could also have other serious health implications.
He pointed out that oral cancer may be spotted during these check-ups, potentially saving lives.
Last month, IsleofMan.com reported that islanders have worse levels of tooth decay than anywhere in the UK.
