Mothers play ‘an essential role’ in teaching good oral health habits

A new survey from the British Dental Health Foundation has underlined the importance of mothers encouraging their children to maintain good oral health habits.

The poll, commissioned as part of National Smile Month, revealed that 68 percent of people were taught how to brush their teeth as a child by their mothers, compared to 18 percent who learned on their own and only five percent who were taught by their fathers.

It was also indicated that many youngsters may not be learning these facts early enough, with less than half (45 percent) of parents teaching their children how to brush their teeth before the age of two.

This is despite a recent report from the Health and Social Care Information Centre revealing that 12 per cent of three-year-olds suffer from visible tooth decay, rising to 27 percent among five-year-olds.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said: "Numerous studies have shown that children who learn good habits early are far more likely to carry them into adulthood, and the ability to pick up a solid oral health routine is no different."

National Smile Month runs until June 18th and is backed by leading brands such as Oral-B, Invisalign, Wrigley, Philips and Denplan.