New study reveals that a staggering 23% of people go two days without brushing their teeth

When it comes to personal health and hygiene, I really think there is nothing more important than looking after your teeth. Nobody wants to grow old and lose their beautiful pearly whites - with false teeth and dentures a grim reality for those of us who don't grasp how important it is to simply brush twice a day.

Shockingly however, it seems that not everyone agrees with me when it comes to keeping your pegs fresh. According to new data from oral care brand FOREO, 23% of people in the UK go two days without brush their teeth. Shocking I know.

The key to keeping a bright, healthy smile throughout adulthood is to practice proper dental hygiene. Credit: Pexels

Depressing statistics

So what else does the data say? Well, nearly half (44%) of 18-24-year olds being guilty of this dirty habit and nearly a fifth (19%) of this age group even going longer at three days or more. On top of all that, more than one in five 35-54-year olds have not brushed their teeth when they are drunk.

The study also found that men are guiltiest of culprits; nearly a third (29%) of guys have forgone brushing, compared to only 17% of women. It also found that a whopping 20% of people brush their teeth just once a day.

Time for some expert opinion from Harley Street dentist, Dr Mark Hughes, who had this to say about the data:

Oral care for Adults: brushing twice daily for two minutes, to promote dental care everyday Credit: Pexels

“It is concerning to see that so many people are neglecting their oral health routine at home, brushing less frequently than UK guidelines would advise. Certain bacteria on the teeth use the sugars from your food to produce acids, which in turn eat away at your enamel. This is why it is so important to be brushing for two minutes, twice a day with a good electric toothbrush, like the FOREO ISSATM 2, that promotes overall oral health.”

Importance of dental hygiene and regular toothbrushing

As part of their campaign to make us brush more, FOREO also want us to smile more! Yes, what's the point of having lovely white teeth if we don't show them off to our nearest and dearest. To get this plan off the ground they enlisted the help of a very special tooth fairy to make Londoners crack a smile - and here's how it went...

So what do you all need to be doing to make sure those pearly whites stay, well... pearly? Thankfully Dr. Hughes is back with some more expert advice, so pay attention folks.

“While not brushing on occasions where we are tired can seem like a harmless one off, not caring for your teeth can lead to unpleasant consequences such as fillings and even extractions. It is important that we don’t neglect our teeth and just four minutes of dedication each day can go a long way to steering clear of problems down the line.

“It is important to visit the dentist or a dental hygienist frequently, even if you feel that your teeth are in good condition. Your dentist will be able to spot any problem before they occur, often a simple change of habits could prevent things getting worse. If you are a nervous patient, speak with your practice, they will be able to help make you feel more at ease during your check-ups.”

So there you have it ladies and gentlemen - brush more, smile more, and definitely visit your dentist more! They get lonely too you know.

Survey conducted by Atomik Research on behalf of FOREO among 2,002 UK adults aged 18+ including 1,000 parents of under-16s.