Growth Drivers

• Growing Demand for Oral Antiseptics Across Emerging Countries – It is expected that the consumption of oral antiseptics will increase across emerging countries in the coming years. These countries include India, Vietnam, China, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, and many more. Furthermore, dental tourism is becoming increasingly popular in emerging countries as people seek affordable, high-quality dental services. This is driving the demand for oral antiseptics, as individuals want to maintain their oral health during and after their trips. For instance, over the past ten years, Vietnam has upgraded its dental care offerings to international levels, drawing clients from countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
• Rising Geriatric Population – Oral antiseptics play an important role in maintaining oral health for the geriatric population. As individuals age, they are more prone to dental problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections, which can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. According to the American Dental Association, approximately 50% of people over 75 have at least one tooth affected by root caries. Secondary coronal caries affects 10% of patients between the ages of 75 and 84, probably owing to the older population's tendency for restorations. It has been advised to adopt proper oral hygiene practices, including the use of topical oral antiseptics, rotating/oscillating toothbrushes, and dietary considerations.
• Growing Prevalence Rates of Periodontal Disease – According to the World Health Organization, there are about 1 billion cases of the severe periodontal disease worldwide, with a prevalence of roughly 19% in adults over the age of 15. Prevalence rates are highest in lower-middle-income countries, with cases of 437 million.
• Expansion of Dental Tourism Platforms– For instance, the rapid expansion in dental treatment offered by Vietnam Dental Tourism, a platform established in 2018 to improve the patient experience for traveling patients. Vietnam Dental Tourist, co-founded by a group of dental doctors and tourism industry professionals, connects foreign patients to a network of 26 dental clinics located throughout all provinces, providing a smooth experience from arrival to departure.
• Rising Trend for Natural Oral Antiseptics – For those with dry mouths (xerostomia), diabetics, pregnant women, and children between the ages of two and twelve, the majority of natural herbal oral rinses are considered safe options. There are numerous brands of natural mouthwashes, ranging from small private-label products with limited distribution and markets to bigger, more recognizable products offered in mass-market settings across the world. For instance, the Natural Dentist and Tom's of Maine are two well-known brands of natural mouthwash. Both have received the American Dental Association seal of approval and have been clinically shown to naturally eliminate germs, minimize gingivitis and bleeding gums, and heal irritated and swollen gums and sore throats.

Challenges

• Side effects associated with oral antiseptics containing alcohol - Oral antiseptics that contain alcohol are solutions or sprays used to help prevent or treat infections in the mouth. These products typically contain a high concentration of alcohol, usually ethanol or isopropanol, as the active ingredient. Even the oral antiseptics' maker acknowledges that it depends on the concentration. For instance, wines have an alcohol content of 7–18%, whereas spirits have a minimum alcohol content of 30%. On the other hand, the drugstore's disinfecting alcohol contains 70-99% alcohol. Comparatively, mouthwashes with alcohol concentrations of up to 25% do not have an antibacterial effect.
• High out-of-pocket expenditures for oral health care
• Active ingredient shortages owing to global economic factors