68% of you would not go a day without brushing your smile.

A recent UK poll suggests that brushing your pearly whites is ranked as one of the daily habits you could not go without. Keeping your smile clean is deemed more important that eating breakfast (43%) and exercising daily (21%).

This is great news that oral health is regarded as such a vital part of UK citizens daily routine. Many of you would go without washing (41%) when stuck for time; you would prioritise a clean mouth over a quick shower. ​

The Oral Health Foundation conducted the study as part of National Smile Month, the new research was part of the charity's work in raising the awareness of good oral health to prevent dental diseases.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the charity said 'Toothbrushing is such a vital habit to get in to so I'm delighted to see it top the list of Britain's most valued day-to-day tasks'

In the UK 31% of adults have tooth decay and 75% (adults over 35) have gum disease. 66% of British adults have visible plaque on the surface of their enamel.

We know that the best way to take care of your smile is daily toothbrushing and interdental cleaning.

One must ask the question, if toothbrushing is such a priority for the British public, why do almost a 1/2 of all teenagers and a 1/3 of adults have gum disease?

Using a toothbrush is not enough. 'Taking the time needed to brush effectively and to clean between the teeth daily if practised often enough helps to embed these habits for life' Dr Carter.

Dental disease is almost entirely preventable. Oral health is very closely linked with general health. Countless research has concluded that there is a link between bacteria associated with gum disease to also be present in patients with Alzheimer's, dementia, diabetes, infertility, some cancers, stroke, heart disease and lung conditions.

Gum disease in an inflammatory disease, and your gums take up the same surface are as that of the palms of your hands. If your hands became swollen, inflamed, and bleed to the tough I'm sure you would not ignore this health concern; yet when it comes to bleeding gums 3 out of 4 of you choose to accept this as normal for your mouth, blaming your toothbrushing on being too hard.

The truth is healthy gums do not bleed, and should not be ignored.

It's time to stop brushing and start effective plaque removal with the correct toothbrushing and flossing techniques.

References

1. Oral Health Foundation (2021) ‘National Dental Survey for National Smile Month’. Sample 2,009 UK adults.
2. Oral Health Foundation and Colgate (2020) ‘The Truth About Tooth Decay’. Sample 2,008 UK adults.