A recent survey by dentist booking service AirSmile found that 71 per cent of respondents had delayed care for at least a year amid rising cost of living expenses, and 54 per cent could not afford further work past initial consultations.

Specifically, 43 per cent of respondents would delay check-ups and dental cleans.

Almost one in three - 31 per cent - would delay the removal of a non-painful wisdom tooth and 30 per cent the removal of a non-painful tooth, and 28 per cent would delay dental crowns or bridges.

Fewer respondents would delay treatment for dental issues that caused pain or were likely to worsen, 22 per cent would delay fillings, 21 per cent root canals, 17 per cent fixing a cracked tooth and 12 per cent treatment for a painful tooth.

IN OTHER NEWS:

AirSmile founder Dr Heath Fraser said he was shocked by the data.

"I don't know where this distinction came between dental and medical, I feel like there's been some decision at some point that we parted ways, but there are direct, major health implications," he said.

"The best example would be active gum disease, that has a direct effect and makes diabetes worse, it can lead to a much, much lower quality of life if you're losing teeth."

In addition to diabetic complications, bacteria from inflammation of the gums can enter a person's bloodstream and travel to the heart leading to plaque developing on arteries, increasing risk of heart attack or stroke.

According to Colgate, gingivitis bacteria can enter the brain through nerve channels or the bloodstream, possibly leading to Alzheimer's disease, lungs can be affected after inhaling bacteria from infected gums over a long period, and the more tooth loss due to gum disease, the higher the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr Fraser is urging people to prioritise getting back to the dentist.

"There's a direct correlation between the number of teeth in your head and the number of years that you're living," he said.

"It's that important."

In Victoria's Ballarat region, Grampians Health dental services director Jacqui Nolan said the pandemic had changed oral health habits even as we move towards 'COVID-normal'.

"Due to the requirement to stay home and with the option to work or learn from home, daily routines such as brushing teeth and maintaining healthy dietary habits may have changed impacting our dental health," she said.

"Even with our return to 'normal' dental operations, there remains a reluctance within our community to attend dental appointments due to anxiety associated with exposure to COVID."

Not only this, but the backlog of appointments in Ballarat after access to both public and private dental services were limited in lockdowns, Ms Nolan said has delayed proactive and preventative dental treatments.

"Including fluoride treatments, oral hygiene education on how to brush your teeth and providing sealants for children's teeth," she said.

"Delays in accessing routine dental care can reduce the ability to proactively manage cavities or gum issues early; with regular preventative visits patients would be managed in a conservative manner, however with the impacts of COVID on accessibility, there is the potential that delays to care may lead to more disease and therefore more intensive treatment or therapies."