Simplyhealth study highlights poor dental care habits

Simplyhealth has published a study that demonstrates the poor level of awareness many people in the UK have of dental health issues.

The Simplyhealth Advisory Research Panel-commissioned report revealed that 50 percent of people brush their teeth for less than two minutes on average and one in ten brushes for less than one minute, while 73 percent only change their toothbrush once every six months or more.

Nearly two-thirds admitted to noticing blood in their spit after brushing their teeth, but less than half recognised this as a sign of potential tooth loss later in life, while understanding of the link between oral health and specific general health problems was limited.

Other findings from the study included the fact that women are generally more aware of dental and oral health issues than men, while it was also shown that many people are being put off visiting the dentist by the cost of doing so.

This comes as Simplyhealth prepares to launch a new TV and social media campaign that will help to raise money for charity group Heart Research UK.