Up to 70 percent of Taiwanese do not brush their teeth after meals, a recent survey by an international chewing gum brand showed.
The findings of the survey, conducted in conjunction with Taipei Medical University’s College of Oral Medicine dean Tsai Hung-huey (蔡恒惠), were released yesterday to coincide with World Oral Health Day, which is tomorrow.
Tsai said the survey showed that up to 91.3 percent of respondents aged between 20 and 50 said that they understand the importance of brushing their teeth after eating, with 86.8 percent agreeing that it can remove food particles between teeth and 83.7 percent agreeing that it can prevent oral diseases.
However, she said that only about 30 percent of respondents said that they brush their teeth immediately after eating a meal.
The survey also showed that about 61 percent of respondents brush their teeth more than 12 hours apart and that most people only brush twice per day — in the morning and before going to bed, Tsai said.
Food particles that remain in the mouth after eating cause acid levels in the mouth to rise and bacteria can attack the teeth, dissolving the outer surface of tooth enamel, Tsai said, adding that sugar on the teeth after eating or drinking allows plaque to form, leading to tooth decay.
Tsai said that brushing teeth within 10 minutes after eating, using fluoride toothpaste and dental floss, temporarily neutralizes oral acidity levels.
Chewing sugar-free gum or rinsing with mouthwash, as well as dental check-ups every six months, can be helpful in preventing tooth decay and other oral diseases, she added.
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