One in five Brits brushing their teeth once a day

One in five Brits brush their teeth only once a day, according to a new survey from Bupa Dental Care.

The National Dental Survey asked 2,000 adults around the UK about their oral health care habits.

The survey also found that 34% of Brits have never flossed and 56% have never used interdental brushes.

‘The research results are shocking but not unsurprising,’ Dr Steve Preddy, interim clinical director and dentist at Bupa Dental Care, said.

‘I’ve been a dentist for over 30 years and patients regularly say they only brush once a day, or that flossing isn’t on their radar.

‘We’re often too busy or simply forget.

‘But I urge people to dedicate just a few minutes a day to their teeth.

‘It will save them a lot of time, and potential discomfort in the long run.’

Brushing for two minutes

More than half (57%) of respondents didn’t know how long they should be brushing their teeth for.

Almost one in 10 of those surveyed brush their teeth for less than 45 seconds every day.

Around one in 10 children (12%) brush their teeth for under 30 seconds, a recent Playbrush survey also showed.

‘Tooth brushing is often a stressful time for both kids and parents,’ Paul Varga, CEO of Playbrush, said.

‘The fact so many are not brushing for the minimum time recommended can have serious consequences in later life.’


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