Dentistry News | Dental Jobs | Dentist Forum | CPD Education
Dental news |
 |
RSS Feed | View by: Most Recent | Most Popular | Most Discussed |
Survey highlights bizarre dental habits
24th May 2010
Matchsticks are the toothpick of choice for the British public when no other oral heath care is to hand.
That's according to a new nationwide survey.
Dr Nigel Carter, chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, was said to be 'staggered' by responses from the British public after a question in the National Dental Survey asked them what they use to pick their teeth.
Matchsticks came top of the most unusual items, with one in four men claiming they use them to pick their teeth with.
Other extraordinary implements that featured highly included business cards and bank notes while less than six per cent admitted to using either a toothpick or dental floss.
Dr Carter said: 'Being told that people are four times more likely to use a matchstick than a toothpick is beyond belief. The thought of somebody using a matchstick to pick their teeth with might sound quite funny at first but in reality it is actually very concerning.
'It shows that people are just willing to use whatever instrument is closest to them at the time without any thought and clearly don't realise how much harm they could do.'
Other objects that people confessed to using were pins, needles, cocktail sticks, card and the back of pierced earrings.
Dr Carter added: 'A pierced earring is not exactly the most flexible of tools, it's sharp and could easily damage the surface of the tooth and could do real damage to the gums. Having taken a closer look at the results, it also showed that more men than women use earrings to clean their teeth – could this mean that men are using their partner's earrings to clean their teeth? This is not a pleasant thought at all.'
The most common answer people gave was the use of their fingernail, tallying one third of the votes. However, Dr Carter says that this is just as hazardous.
'A fingernail might not seem to be a dangerous implement like a matchstick, an earring or a needle, but it can still cause all sorts of problems. Dirt under the fingernail can spread bacteria and sharp nails can cut into the gum forcing it to bleed.
'The best things to remove food from between the teeth with are the interdental brushes or wood sticks, shaped particularly for this purpose. Although, it is vital to remember that cocktail sticks are not an adequate replacement as they are much too hard and sharp and should really be avoided.
'The survey has flagged up that only one percent of us floss. This figure needs to rapidly improve, as flossing or using an interdental brush is a vital part of a good oral health routine, removing food particles from between the teeth and plaque from against gumline. It should be done once-a-day before brushing.
'However, it is very important to be gentle, even when using proper dental floss, as jerking or snapping the floss into the gums can damage the gum tissue.'
The Foundation prides itself on giving out quality oral health information to the public so if you're worried about the state of your smile and want to know just how to improve it you can contact the National Dental Helpline on 0845 063 1188.
The survey, released in line with National Smile Month (16 May-16 June) and commissioned by its campaign sponsors Oral-B, Listerine and Orbit Complete, surveyed more than 1,000 members of the public.
The annual survey aims to investigate the dental habits and practices of those living in the UK, in order to address the levels of awareness and misconceptions there are about oral health.
Further findings from the study will be released throughout National Smile Month on the Foundation's website at www.dentalhealth.org.
The Foundation's three key messages throughout this year's National Smile Month campaign of ‘Teeth 4 Life' are to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste, cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and visit your dentist regularly as often as they recommend provide a firm base for a lifetime of good oral health.
Rate this story
Comments
