A poll exploring the effects of the coronavirus pandemic came up with some surprising findings, including that people stuck to their dental care routine even when the action between the sheets took a dip...
The survey found that three times more people believe the pandemic has had a worse effect on their exercise habits (34 per cent) and twice as many believe their sex drive (22 per cent) has declined, compared to their oral health. Nearly twice as many people believe their eyesight (21 per cent) has got worse.
Around only one-in-ten (12 per cent) said that their oral health declined throughout lockdown - four times more people believe the pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental health (43 per cent) and weight (42 per cent).
The findings were part of research conducted by the Oral Health Foundation charity for its National Smile Month initiative.
The charity's research suggests that, during the pandemic, the health of the mouth has declined far less than other areas of wellbeing.
Elaine Tilling, a dental hygienist and clinical education manager for TePe Oral Hygiene Products, believes the pandemic has created a greater desire for self-care and prevention of disease.
"So much has been out of our control during this time but taking responsibility for your own health has been a necessity, which for many people has been a positive experience," she says.
"Dental disease is preventable, and it is the importance of undertaking this that the pandemic has changed.
"Taking the time needed to brush effectively and to clean between the teeth daily if practised often enough helps to embed these habits for life."
It was also found that brushing teeth took pole position when people ranked it top of the things that they could not go a day without doing. Two-in-three (68 per cent) of the adults surveyed said that they were compelled to brush their teeth every day, deeming it more than three times as important than exercise (21 per cent) as a daily task.
Brushing teeth was even judged to be more essential than eating breakfast (43 per cent) and washing (41 per cent).
The key messages of National Smile Month are a reminder of how essential it is to brush your teeth at night and at least once during the day using fluoride toothpaste.
It is also recommended to visit your dentist regularly and cut the consumption of sugary drinks and foods to an absolute minimum.
