Mind the gap: The oral health essentials that the nation is missing

The annual survey, conducted by YouGov on behalf of Simplyhealth Professionals, revealed shocking statistics including that only two thirds of adults brush twice a day (69 per cent), with two per cent admitting that they never brush.

Flossing is also frequently ignored, with one in three adults (37 per cent) admitting they never take the time to floss, despite the fact that 63 per cent know that it helps to avoid gum disease. When questioned why they don’t floss more regularly, 27 per cent said they couldn’t be bothered or find it boring.

Furthermore, almost one in 10 (7 per cent) are avoiding the dental chair and said they never visit the dentist.

Commenting on the figures, Henry Clover, chief dental officer at Simplyhealth Professionals, said, “With the busy lifestyles that people lead, it’s tempting to skip brushing or flossing, or delay visits to the dentist. A good oral health routine is an essential everyday activity that helps to protect against tooth decay and gum disease. Moreover, with studies increasingly finding links between poor oral health and conditions such as heart disease, strokes and diabetes, looking after your oral health is important for your general health too.”