Media release February 16, 2010
Kiwis Have Poor Dental Habits - Survey
We may like to think of ourselves as a nation that keeps its environment clean but when it comes to our own personal
hygiene Kiwis are downright dirty according to new research.
The international Oral-B Powerbrush Survey showed that one in six Kiwis dislike cleaning their teeth, 82 percent said
they don’t floss once a day and three quarters of us didn’t use a mouthwash daily, all signs we are flouting the most
basic dental hygiene guidelines according to a top Auckland dentist.
Dr Hisham Abdalla, an international lecturer in dentistry and director of the Laser Lifecare Institute says Kiwis are
mistaken in thinking their dental health is their dentist’s responsibility.
“The physical pain, psychological trauma and the financial and social costs of oral diseases are severe and endemic
worldwide as well as in New Zealand. Most of these problems could be avoided or improved dramatically if we looked after
ourselves better and were more conscientious in maintaining our oral health,” he says
Dr Abdalla says poor oral healthcare habits can lead to gum disease, dental cavities and at worst oral cancer going
untreated. There are more obvious and direct problems including; bad breath, unsightly smiles, bleeding and sore gums,
tooth loss and decaying teeth, he says.
The research also showed around one in 10 admit to brushing less often than once a day, but despite our own poor dental
habits we were pretty picky when it came to other people’s mouths.
While more than nine out of ten (91%) Kiwis said a smile from a stranger could make our day brighter it had to be the
‘right kind’ with 77% of us saying yellow teeth ruined the effect!
However, when it comes to our own appearance we’re much more accommodating, more than eight out of ten (81%) Kiwis are
happy with our own smile just the way it is and are not concerned with maintaining its appearance!
The study also investigated the teeth-cleaning habits of our U.S counterparts and the results showed that Americans,
famous for their Hollywood smiles, are more discerning about their own dental care practices than Kiwis.
Only 11% of Kiwis surveyed said they were prepared to give up certain foods or beverages to prevent staining their teeth
compared with more than a quarter of American respondents.
American’s were also concerned about protecting their teeth. More than one third of those surveyed were prepared to give
up their favourite foods and beverages to protect the enamel on their teeth, compared to just one in six (17%) Kiwis.
In terms of permanent record however, Kiwis were slightly more cautious with more than one in five (22%) saying they
avoid having their picture taken because they were self-conscious about their smile.
Parents from both countries were critical of their children’s oral healthcare routines with one in four saying their
children had “poor” habits or did a below par job of taking care of their mouth, teeth and gums.
Although few Kiwis enjoy brushing their teeth the majority of us like to improve the task by ensuring our brushes are in
good order. More than eight out of ten (84%) of Kiwi respondents said they replaced their brush every three months as
recommended by dentists and 92% of us brushed our teeth at least once a day.
Dr Abdalla says simply brushing our teeth is not good enough, doing it properly with the right technique and for the
recommended two minutes and flossing in between teeth is essential to maintaining good oral health.
“We have on average 28-32 teeth in our mouths that become coated with a sticky plaque layer called biofilm. This sticky
layer of bacteria and food debris builds up on our gum, tongue and cheeks and can be removed by brushing properly.”
The bacteria that grows around the gum line can cause bad breath, gum and bone disease (bleeding gums and loose teeth)
and is a critical part of the mouth to clean, says Dr Abdalla.
“Many people don’t even know how to brush their teeth correctly. Power brushes are more efficient and easier to use
correctly. Independent research has shown the rotating-oscillation technology they employ removes a significant amount
of bacterial plaque,” he says.
Despite our reluctance to pick up our toothbrush, floss or use mouthwash more regularly the research did give us
something to smile about.
While parents regarded their children’s dental hygiene as poor, more than nine out of 10 (91%) of the Kiwi respondents
surveyed said a smile from their child could turn their mood from bad to good.
ENDS
If using this content please attribute as the “Oral-B Powerbrush Study”
Notes to editors:
*The Oral-B Powerbrush Survey
The international survey of 2,000 respondents was commissioned by Oral-B and conducted by Perceptive Research in New
Zealand (in November 2009) and Roper Public Affairs in United States.
About Dr Hisham Abdalla
Dr Hisham Abdalla is an Auckland based dentist.
Dr Abdalla is an invited Associate Professor at Cagliari University in Sardinia, Italy. He is an internationally
respected Speaker, Author and Educator in the fields of Laser dentistry, Minimally Invasive preventative dentistry,
High-tech dentistry, CEREC and Cosmetic dentistry. He is the accredited course provider and examiner for The Queensland
University Laser Certification program, by Professor Laurie Walsh.
Dr Abdalla is known for his pioneering ideas, strong motivation and passion for research and knowledge. He's been
nominated by his colleagues at the Auckland Dental Association for NZDA Young Dentist of the Year in 2005. Then in 2006
represented New Zealand as a finalist at the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons Young Lecturer of the Year
Award. Other recognitions include a Fellowship and Diplomat status from the World Congress of Minimally Invasive
Dentistry. He served as a past Directors Board member of the organisation in the USA.
He is a Founding member of the NZ Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, founding member and past Vice president of the NZ
Institute of Minimal Intervention Dentistry, Fellow of the World Clinical Laser Institute, member of the Auckland and
New Zealand Dental Associations.
Dr Abdalla graduated with honours from Charles University in Prague with a Medical University Doctor of Stomatology
(dentistry).
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[i] Robinson, P et al, Manual versus powered toothbrushing for oral health. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
2009,