Dental hygiene is a fundamental aspect of personal health care, yet brushing and flossing habits vary significantly worldwide. While most people know the importance of oral hygiene, the actual practices of tooth brushing and flossing are a different story. This article explores the facts behind tooth brushing and flossing habits, revealing what percent of people brush their teeth, how often they brush their teeth, and more.
What percent of people brush their teeth?
While the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that people brush their teeth twice a day, only 69% of Americans do so. And roughly 23% of Americans have gone two days or longer without brushing their teeth. Almost 37% of adults ages 18 to 24 have done the same, showing that younger people may have less consistent oral health habits.
More stats on brushing habits
There’s been a lot of fascinating studies and surveys that have revealed a lot about people’s brushing habits. Here are a few more interesting statistics:
- About six out of 10 Americans brush their teeth at bedtime and in the morning.
- About 38% of Americans brush their teeth after breakfast.
- About 17% of Americans brush their teeth after lunch.
- About 21% of Americans brush their teeth after dinner.
- While the recommended amount of time to brush is two minutes, the average person only brushes their teeth for about 45 seconds.
What percent of people floss their teeth?
While about 31.6% of adults reported flossing daily (the ADA recommendation) and 36.6% of adults report flossing one to six days a week, 31.9% of adults report not flossing. As much as there may be an issue with people not brushing their teeth, flossing rates are perhaps more worrisome.
More stats on flossing habits
Here are some more interesting statistics about flossing habits.
- On average, women are more likely than men to floss daily (36.8% vs 26%, respectively).
- People who did not graduate high school are less likely to floss daily than those who have a college degree (24.5% vs 35.3%, respectively).
- Lower-income people are more likely to report never flossing than higher-income people (49% vs 28%, respectively).
- People who use tobacco are less likely to floss daily than those who don’t use tobacco. (23.6% vs 33.1%, respectively).
- There has been little change in flossing behavior from 2009 to 2020, showing that efforts to encourage adults to floss had little effect.
- People aged 30 to 44 are less likely to report never flossing than people aged 75 or older.
Why should you brush and floss your teeth?
Regular brushing and flossing are essential for maintaining oral health and preventing various dental problems. Brushing removes plaque and food particles that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, while flossing reaches the crucial areas between teeth that brushing alone cannot clean effectively. This is important because poor oral hygiene has been linked to serious health conditions beyond just cavities and gum disease, including links to heart disease and diabetes.
Additionally, maintaining good oral hygiene can prevent bad breath, stained teeth, and expensive dental procedures in the future. The simple daily habits of brushing twice daily and flossing once can save thousands of dollars in dental treatment costs over a lifetime.
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