New Zealanders like to see a healthy smile but they don't seem to putting much effort into their own not-so-pearly whites, a new survey suggests.The international Oral-B Powerbrush Survey (Oral-B Powerbrush is a type of toothbrush for those who couldn't w
New Zealanders like to see a healthy smile but they don’t seem to putting much effort into their own not-so-pearly whites, a new survey suggests.
The international Oral-B Powerbrush Survey (Oral-B Powerbrush is a type of toothbrush for those who couldn’t work it out) found some worrying gaps in New Zealanders’ dental hygiene habits.
According to the survey one in six Kiwis dislike brushing their teeth, 82% don’t floss daily and three out of four don’t use a mouthwash daily.
While more than nine out of ten (91%) Kiwis said a smile from a stranger could make our day brighter, 77% said 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 their own smile just the way it is and are not concerned with maintaining its appearance.
The survey also found that New Zealanders are less discerning about their dental practices than Americans, with only 11% of Kiwis prepared to give up certain foods or beverages to prevent staining compared to more than a quarter of Americans.
And while more than a third of Americans were prepared to give up their favourite foods and beverages to protect the enamel on their teeth, only one in six New Zealanders (17%) were prepared to do the same.
But there was some good news from the survey- more than eight out of 10 (84%) of New Zealand respondents said they replaced their brush every three months (as recommended by dentists).
And more than nine out of ten people surveyed (92%) brushed their teeth at least once a day.
