Overview
- An oral care brand TePe–commissioned poll of 2,000 UK adults found 67% often leave tasks partly done, with household cleaning the most neglected.
- About 22% of respondents said they brush their teeth only once a day despite NHS guidance to brush twice daily.
- Some 39% never use interdental brushes, and a dental therapist warned that skipping interdental cleaning leaves roughly 40% of tooth surfaces uncleaned.
- Experts recommend a three-minute routine with two minutes of brushing plus one minute of interdental cleaning to better remove plaque and protect gums.
- Time pressure and tiredness were cited as common reasons for shortcutting, and many reported sensitivity, bleeding gums and cavities, with wider disease links described as potential risks.