Half of NI patients don’t brush at least once a day

Nearly 50 per cent of people in Northern Ireland don’t brush their teeth at least once a day according to a survey of 2,000 adults in the UK.

The research, conducted by Vital Statistics on behalf of dental company White Glo, found that 47 per cent of patients in the province who took part admitted not brushing once a day on average, and they were tied with Londoners (also 47 per cent), with only people in Wales coming out worst (45 per cent).

On the whole, the UK survey found that 40 per cent are still not brushing their teeth at least once a day. The worst age group was found to be the 26-34-year-olds with more than half admitting to not brushing once a day (51 per cent). The most conscientious toothbrushers were found in the over-55 age group (68 per cent).

The news comes just weeks after the BDA in Northern Ireland called for an end to what it called a “decay epidemic” in the country and described the existing oral health strategy as “creaking”.