01-07-2025
Over a third of Brits neglect gum health, survey reveals – how does your mouth fare?
THINK your oral hygiene is up to scratch?
You might want to look beyond your pearly whites.
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A new quiz tool has been developed to test how well you can spot the signs of healthy — or unhealthy — gums, helping you assess not just your knowledge, but potentially the state of your own mouth.
It follows research which found 37 per cent of Brits neglect their gums – because they only care about having clean teeth.
Commissioned by Corsodyl, the poll of 2,000 adults found 45 per cent don't regularly think about gum health, 37 per cent are only focused on ensuring they have pearly whites after a brush.
Meanwhile, 74 per cent have never considered cleaning at an angle to meet the join between the gum and the tooth.
And 43 per cent only brush for less than 90 seconds on average – with one in 10 (11 per cent) experiencing bleeding gums every few weeks.
The research was commissioned by the dental brand, in celebration of the brand's 50th anniversary.
Dr Kate Fabrikant, from parent company Haleon, said: "The survey shows that we need to continue raising awareness of gum health importance, they are just as essential to our overall oral health as our teeth.
'Attention needs to be paid to brushing your teeth and gums for at least two minutes, twice a day, with a condition specific fluoridated toothpaste.
'There is still a lot of work still to do to achieve good gum health in the UK, and that's why we are empowering individuals make it a bigger priority.
'The gums in our mouths play a crucial role in supporting and protecting the teeth, acting like a cushion and barrier against bacteria.
"Healthy gums keep the teeth firmly anchored, shielding them from infections that could lead to serious dental problems.'
The study also found when it comes to oral hygiene, 76 per cent don't avoid sugary snacks, and 59 per cent never clean their tongue.
While 69 per cent admit they don't do a daily floss – a key technique to ensuring gums remain happy and healthy.
It emerged 32 per cent of those polled via wouldn't be able to tell if this part of their mouth was in poor health.
And 35 per cent don't know tenderness, swelling (33 per cent), and receding gums (35 per cent) are all tale-tell signs they are in a bad way.
What's more, 34 per cent believe their gums have receded, and 55 per cent have previously known them to bleed.
Dr Kate Fabrikant, from Haleon, added: 'Maintaining optimal gum health is crucial for overall oral hygiene and well-being.
'Healthy gums are typically pink and firm, fitting snugly around your teeth without bleeding, swelling, or pain – while unhealthy gums can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and even impact heart health.
' Regular dental check-ups, proper brushing with the right toothpaste, and flossing techniques are all essential practices to ensure your gums remain in good health.'
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