On May 7, 2012, our colleagues at Oral-B announced the results of a nationwide survey in conjunction with the “Brush More, Smile More Singapore” movement. Conducted by research company, TNS, the survey indicated that 88% of respondents think that Singaporeans should smile more, with a majority of 67% agreeing that they would smile more if they had healthy teeth. However, only 21% of Singaporeans had a positive rating of their dental health.
While many Singaporeans have general dental awareness, they still struggle with fundamental oral care habits. The objective of the Oral-B campaign is to debunk dental myths that Singaporeans have and encourage them to go back to basics with three simple steps to inculcate the right oral care habits for healthy teeth and confident smiles.
The three simple steps are:
- Brush twice a day with the right toothbrush
- Brush for at least two minutes each time
- Visit the dentist every six months
The Orab-B survey involved 364 Singaporeans between the ages of 16-55 years old. Other highlights of the survey include the following:
- 25% of Singaporeans visit the dentist every six months.
- 22% of Singaporeans agree that they are embarrassed to visit the dentist because they have unhealthy teeth.
- 38% of Singaporeans only visit the dentist when they feel pain.
- 18% of Singaporeans brush their teeth only once a day!
- 12% of Singaporeans would change their toothbrush when its bristles have traces of mold on it or an unpleasant smell.
According to Dr Neo Tee Khin, Prosthodontist at Specialist Dental Group, dental problems can build over time and visiting the dentist every six months is vital in maintaining good oral hygiene and a healthy smile.
“We need to change the misconceptions that Singaporeans have about oral care and dental visits”, adds Dr Neo.
Prevention is key; Singaporeans should look forward to their regular dental check-ups and make it an essential part of their basic oral care regime with brushing twice a day and for at least two minutes.
For enquiries on dental problems or to make an appointment request, visit the Specialist Dental Group website at: https://www.specialistdentalgroup.com/
