Table 9 Experiences of oral health after becoming a regular user of GC Tooth Mousse Plus^®

Historical dimension: refers to participants' dental history, their experience of oral disease overtime

Maintaining, rebuilding my teeth

“I believe quite strongly that TMP is helping to maintain my teeth healthy and rebuilding, constantly rebuilding the structure of my teeth to keep them healthy.” ID10, female, 55–64 years old, dental caries

Biological dimension: refers to participants’ experiences of oral health and disease as clinical signs and symptoms

Experiencing less sensitivity

“I don’t really feel a problem of sensitivity at all in my teeth anymore. So, from that point of view, my experience has been that I attribute it to TMP because of the strong correlation between my beginning to use it and the decrease in the problem of sensitivity. So therefore, I just continue to use it, and it has been helpful to me." ID7, female, 65 years or older, dry mouth

Having a slippery mouth [enjoyment]

“The first thing I noticed orally, it’s kind of a feel good—it makes my mouth slippery; I like that feeling a lot compared to when my mouth is dry and I’m kind of lacking that. So, I use TMP with enjoyment, I look forward to putting it on.” ID14, male, 45–54 years old, dry mouth

Having stronger teeth

"I kept using TMP because I felt that my teeth were better. Like, the sensitivity was gone, and I felt that my teeth were stronger. I think it is helping the enamel—there aren’t little white spots on my teeth anymore. So, I will keep using it forever.” ID3, female, 45–54 years old, sensitivity

Financial dimension: refers to the financial burden of oral disease

Not having expensive trips to dentist

“The longer I use it [TMP], the less problems I had with things like tooth decay. My dentist hasn’t had to do a filling for me now for over two years.” ID9, male, 25–34 years old, dental caries

Not needing restorative work

“The first time I went to my dentist for my 6-month check and went out without having to get any [restorative] work I was sold. Do you know what I mean? That was all I needed, I just thought it must be TMP. Then, when it happened again, and then a third time, I just was gobsmacked.” ID4, female, 55–64 years old, brittle teeth and sensitivity

Psychosocial dimension: refers to the psychological and social aspects of participants’ experiences, including patients’ emotional suffering due to oral disease

Knowing that I am complete

“Applying TMP and keeping my own teeth is part of feeling well and knowing that my teeth are part of my body—it's like knowing that I’m complete.” ID11, male, 65 years or older, sensitivity, dry mouth

Smiling and maintaining my oral health

“I’m excited and I feel like TMP keeps me smiling. I just sense I am doing the right thing in maintaining my oral health.” ID14, male, 45–54 years old, dry mouth

Habitual dimension: refers to customary activities related to or consequences of oral disease

Being used to apply TMP/ Being part of my daily routines/Protecting my teeth

“I think that to keep my own teeth is really important. So, the fact that it takes me a few more minutes to apply TMP is not important to me at all … it’s a bit like exercising every morning before breakfast, so that just becomes part of life. I don’t even think about it now, it’s just part of life. This is tooth protection that I can do at home. It became part of the things that I do every day, like eating meals and so on.” ID11, male, 65 years or older, sensitivity, dry mouth

Being an essential part of my life

“I think it’s an essential part of my life now—I would never be without TMP.” ID1, female, 65 years or older, dry mouth