Brits know the importance of looking after their teeth, but many are struggling to turn good intentions into healthy habits, according to new research from the Oral Health Foundation and mydentist.
The nationwide study, carried out as part of Smile Month, suggests that busy lives, competing priorities and uncertainty about symptoms are leading many people to put off simple steps that could protect their oral health.
Almost four in ten people (39%) admit they have fallen asleep without brushing their teeth during the past year, while nearly a third (32%) say they have deliberately skipped brushing before bed. Almost one-in-four (24%) have ignored tooth pain, hoping it would simply go away.
Ben Atkins, dentist and trustee at the Oral Health Foundation, says: “These findings don’t suggest people don’t care about their oral health. In fact, quite the opposite. Most people understand the importance of looking after their mouth, but life can get busy and it’s easy to put things off when a problem doesn’t seem serious.
“The difficulty is that small issues can become much bigger ones if they’re ignored for too long. The encouraging thing is that a few simple habits each day can make a huge difference to your long-term oral health.”
Many people are also living with symptoms that could be an early warning sign of dental disease. More than a third (35%) have experienced bleeding gums during the past 12 months, yet one-in-seven (14%) admit they regularly ignore the warning sign if it stops on its own. Four-in-ten (41%) have suffered from sensitive teeth, one-in-five (20%) have experienced toothache and nearly one-in-five (18%) say they have had tooth decay.
The research also highlights the growing role of technology in how people manage their health. Nearly one-in-ten (9%) say they have used Google or AI tools to check dental symptoms instead of seeking professional advice.
Nyree Whitley, Chief Clinical Officer at mydentist, says: “It’s completely understandable that people look online for reassurance when something doesn’t feel right, but websites and AI tools can never replace a proper examination by a dental professional. Conditions such as gum disease and tooth decay are often easier, quicker and less costly to treat when they are identified early.
“If you’re experiencing pain, bleeding gums or another persistent problem, it’s always worth seeking advice rather than hoping it will go away on its own.”
The findings also reveal that confidence in our smiles matters to many people. One-in-five (21%) say they have avoided smiling in photographs because they feel self-conscious about their teeth, while more than a quarter (26%) admit they have digitally whitened their smile before posting pictures online.
Despite widespread awareness of basic oral health advice, many people are still finding it difficult to stick to healthy routines. While two-thirds (67%) recognise that brushing twice a day is important and 62% know they should brush for at least two minutes, only around half (52%) say they actually brush twice daily. Just 30% regularly use fluoride toothpaste and only 26% clean between their teeth every day using floss or interdental brushes.
“Looking after your mouth doesn’t have to be complicated,” adds Dr Atkins. “Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth and cutting down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks are small steps that can have a lasting impact.
“Your mouth is with you for life. Looking after it isn’t about having a perfect smile. It’s about staying comfortable, avoiding pain, enjoying your food and having the confidence to smile, laugh and speak without giving it a second thought.”
Researchers also uncovered a lack of awareness about the wider role oral health plays in overall wellbeing. Only one-in-five (21%) recognise a link between oral health and heart disease, fewer than one-in-five (19%) associate it with diabetes, and just 15% are aware of potential links with dementia and cognitive decline.
The findings come as the public shows strong support for improving oral health education. More than half (53%) believe schools should provide more teaching around healthy eating and sugar consumption, while 37% would like to see more education about oral health and tooth decay.
“The foundations of a healthy mouth have never changed,” Nyree Whitley adds. “Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth every day, reducing how often you have sugary foods and drinks, and seeing a dental professional regularly all play an important part in preventing problems before they start.
“Building these habits into everyday life can help people keep their mouths healthy for years to come.”
