A recent survey conducted by Hive Business as part of National Smile Month 2022 investigated the oral health and hygiene habits of people around the UK. The survey itself produced shocking results, revealing that 39% of 25-34 year olds brush their teeth less than once a week1.
On the other hand, 63% of millennials demonstrated their commitment to their oral health by admitting that they brush their teeth over three times daily. Other findings from the survey included: 28% of people have shared their toothbrush at least once, 33% are not registered with a dental hygienist and 49% of 25-34 year olds visit the dentist more than 4 times a year1.
So, what can we learn from Hive Business’ survey? Aside from the fact that the millennial generation shows a significantly bigger interest in preserving their dental health, there is room for greater emphasis placed on the importance of educating people about the benefits of maintaining a good standard of oral hygiene throughout their life.
Here at the Dental Law Partnership, we encourage everyone to make sure that they seek a good understanding of the best ways to take care of their dental and oral health. The aim is to avoid having dental problems or treatment that could cause further issues. By maintaining good oral hygiene, visiting the dentist should be a routine check-up that identifies any problems as early as possible, and little more. This way, treatments or procedures that could be painful or expensive can be avoided, and the risk of procedures going wrong or your dentist being negligent in your care is lower.
Whilst it may seem common to forget to brush your teeth, with over 30% of people questioned in the survey admitting that they do1, this can lead to a build-up of bacteria and plaque on your teeth, further leading to toothache and decay. Similarly, whilst sharing a toothbrush may seem harmless, the habit can transmit bacteria from one person to another and may cause gum disease2.
The survey suggests that dental hygiene ‘often takes a backseat for people with underlying health concerns’1, and ‘it is pretty common for people to allow other health issues to take precedent over dental health’1. Whilst other health conditions may play a part, the importance of your oral health shouldn’t be underestimated.
To keep your mouth and teeth healthy, follow these simple steps as a baseline for your oral hygiene routine3:
- Brush twice a day with fluoridate toothpaste.
- After you brush, don’t rinse – the fluoride from the toothpaste will stay on your teeth for longer.
- Floss or clean in between your teeth with interdental brushes regularly.
- Maintain a healthy diet – avoid sugary or acidic foods.
- Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups.
