DT News - UK - New survey reveals how often Brits skip toothbrushing

Dental Tribune International

Wed. 25 October 2017

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LONDON, UK: Only two-thirds of British people brush their teeth the recommended two times a day, a new survey has found. The remaining third only use their toothbrush once a day and primarily in the morning, when it has the least effect. Furthermore, two per cent of respondents in the survey said that they do not brush their teeth at all.

There is a slight glimmer of hope, as 8 per cent of the respondents said they brush three or more times a day. However, the figures pose worrying questions regarding the nation’s attitude towards oral hygiene. Guidelines issued by the NHS state that teeth should be cleaned for at least 2 minutes before going to bed and a second time during the day.

Furthermore, it appears the vast majority of Brits do not floss, since only one-third of all those surveyed responded that they make daily use of this interdental cleaner.

Men, especially, do not seem to be keen on cleaning their teeth, as one in three reported only brushing them once per day. However, with only 26 per cent who said they skip a second brush regularly, women were found to have slightly better oral hygiene practices.

The survey, the results of which were released this week, was conducted on behalf of YouGov UK and involved over 2,000 adults from across the UK, representing all the respective age groups and social grades. Those in the C2, D and E groups (skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers; state pensioners, casual and lowest-grade workers, unemployed people with state benefits only) were found to brush less frequently than their middle-class counterparts, and those aged between 25 and 54 appeared to be less concerned about their oral health care routine than those outside this age group.

The full results of the survey are available here.

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