Survey Reveals UK Adults Have Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

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A survey has revealed that half of UK adults have below par oral hygiene habits.

The Adult Dental Health Survey revealed that a quarter of people only brush their teeth once a day, while most spend only 45 seconds brushing their teeth, which is far shorter than the recommended period of 2 minutes.

According to the survey, 42 percent of adults use only a toothbrush and toothpaste and only 27 percent of people have an electric toothbrush and 1 in 4 people do not use toothpaste containing the recommended level of fluoride. Fluoride helps to strengthen and protect the teeth against decay.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said that flossing and use inter-dental brushes will help to remove plaque that has been missed during brushing, as brushing only removes around 60 percent of plaque from the mouth.

Dr Carter added that brushing for two minutes twice a day is one of the foundation’s fundamental messages and he said that it is alarming that such a large proportion of people are brushing only once a day and for such short periods of time.

Dr Carter said that public awareness of the importance of good oral hygiene must be increased, especially as research studies have linked dental diseases to an increased risk of serious life-threatening conditions, including strokes, diabetes and heart disease.

 

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