Oral diseases include gum disease, tooth decay or caries, canker sores, sensitivity, toothaches and dental emergencies, oral cancer, and oral infectious diseases. Untreated oral disease is a major concern, affecting more than 50% of the North America population. Periodontal disease and dental caries are the key causes of the loss of natural teeth. As per Oral Health Associates, sugar consumption among the population in developing economies has tripled over the past 50 years. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), dental caries is the most common oral care issue caused by excessive sugar consumption. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), oral cancer accounts for ~3% (i.e., 53,000 new cases) of all cancer cases diagnosed annually in the US. In addition to the unhealthy high-sugar diet, tobacco and alcohol consumption is another factor contributing to oral diseases. Most oral health conditions are preventable and can be treated at early stage by involving proper oral care regime. Thus, the increasing prevalence of dental problems is bolstering the demand for oral care products in North America.
While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic won’t have much of an impact on the oral care market, the oral care market is not expected to be significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-2021. However, there could be possible disruptions in the distribution channel during the lockdown, and movement restrictions imposed in North America to control the virus spread and flatten the curve. Social distancing protocols and quarantine measures have led to a shift in consumer purchasing patterns from in-store to online, which would be reflected in oral care/oral hygiene product sales. Major players in the market have continued their production activities during this period. Further, Colgate-Palmolive Company, an American multinational consumer products company, suggests that their oral care products may play a role in temporarily reducing the amount of COVID-19 virus in your mouth. Laboratory tests found that specific kinds of toothpaste, mouthwashes, and mouth spray neutralized SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by more than 99%.
With the new features and technologies, vendors can attract new customers and expand their footprints in emerging markets. This factor is likely to drive the oral care market. The North America oral care market is expected to grow at a good CAGR during the forecast period.