As we have reported throughout the pandemic the difficulty in getting to see a dentist and how some people have been doing their own dentistry! So it is pleasing to see that as a result of the pandemic people are starting to take better care of their oral health, and long may it continue! We are great advocates of good oral health as looking after your teeth avoids the need for invasive dental treatment. Did you know that if you took out a dental insurance plan with Get Dental Plans all your check-ups and hygienist vists are included, so even with the best oral hygiene at home you are covered.
A recent survey, that was the largest worldwide consumer oral health survey by Sunstar assessed 15,000 respondents from 15 counties. The UK ranked best for brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (47%). Second place was snapped up by the US at 40%.
Other UK findings include:
The highest number of respondents who said they did not have problems with their oral health (40%)
Ranked second least likely (alongside Japan) to skip brushing their teeth if they were in a rush early morning (13%). Brazilians ranked the least likely (12%)
Brits also came in second for visiting the dentist the most regularly (42%), with Germany ranking first (45%).
Worldwide findings
Most and least oral health issues
Thailand has the most and worst problems with oral health. Only 10% have no problems and just 5% are happy with their teeth. The UK ranked the highest, 40%, for not having any problems with their teeth.
Worst habits you would like to give up
Germany and Spain ranked equally the highest. Both came in at 27% for smoking as the worst habit for dental health. Additionally around 22% of Italians, Indonesians and Brazilians said drinking coffee, tea and staining drinks was their worst habit.
China, on the other hand, ranked highest for sweets as their worst habit (31%).
Most forgetful at brushing teeth.
Indonesians were the most forgetful at brushing their teeth, coming in at 45%. Brazil ranked next highest at 40%. In addition, 33% of Italians, Argentinians and Britons said they never forget to brush their teeth.
Germans, however, forget the least (20%).
Best for cleaning between teeth
China leads the way on cleaning between teeth at 21%, followed by Italy, 20% and Spain 18%. Indonesia ranked the lowest at just 7%.
Smile satisfaction
Those in the Netherlands are the happiest with their teeth. Around 18% report not wanting any cosmetic treatment to improve their smile.
Only 5% of Thai, Spanish, Italians and Brazilians said they would not choose any cosmetic treatment to improve their smile.
The US was one of the lowest – only 7% said they would not want any cosmetic treatment.
Understanding of the mouth/body link
Three quarters (76%) of Argentinians understood that smoking tobacco impacted dental health. And just 39% of those in Singapore understood the mouth/body link.
The Japanese have the best understanding that dental health can also affect life expectancy (38%). In comparison, Britain came in at just 12%.
Which countries reported most bad breath?
Asian countries reported bad breath when describing their oral health more than anywhere else. The worst was in Japan (34%).
Brazil reported the least at just 8%.
Which countries have seen the worst oral health impact during the pandemic?
Findings suggest Argentinians missed the most dental appointments during the pandemic (44%). Just 12% of Japan missed dental appointments, the lowest figure worldwide.
Americans experienced more tooth sensitivity during the pandemic (25%) while Indonesians ranked highest (45%) for choosing to now clean their teeth more regularly.
If you are looking for post pandemic oral care for your staff, why not contact us at Get Dental Plans to see how a company dental insurance plan can help you and your staff.