UK dental patients ‘regularly lie about flossing habits’

UK dental patients are not being as honest as they should be about their flossing habits, a new study has shown.

The survey from the British Dental Health Foundation has revealed that 27 percent of people admit to falsely telling their dentist that they floss every day – despite an earlier poll from the organisation revealing that one in three Britons never floss.

It was also revealed that many people in the UK find flossing to be an extremely unpleasant task, with 14 percent saying they find cleaning the toilet more appealing than flossing every day.

The report noted that flossing should be considered an essential part of any oral health regimen, as brushing alone only cleans three of the five surfaces of the teeth.

Dr Nigel Carter of the British Dental Health Foundation said: "Alongside dentist visits and brushing twice a day, the message of proper cleaning technique needs to be driven home to everyone."

Flossing is essential in the prevention of gum disease, which has been linked with general health conditions such as diabetes, strokes, cardiovascular disease, poor pregnancy outcomes and even dementia.