Though U.S. adults who brush twice or more daily reported fewer dental issues than those who did it less often, only about half do it that many times each day, according to news from YouGov Profiles dated January 21.
Furthermore, in the U.S., 30% of adults reported brushing at least once a day, and 10% brush three or more times a day, according to the report.
The purpose of the report is to offer insights into the oral care habits of U.S. adults, based on continuously collected data and surveys rather than a single, limited questionnaire. The nationally representative data were weighted by age, gender, education, region, and race to ensure accuracy.
Adults who brush twice or more daily were less likely to report dental issues compared to those who brush once daily. Among once-daily brushers, 23% reported toothaches, 23% had cavities, and 14% experienced gum problems. These rates decrease for twice-daily brushers, dropping to 20%, 19%, and 11%, respectively, according to the report.
Mouthwash was the most frequently used oral care product, with 59% of Americans using it weekly. Dental floss or tape was also widely used, with 53% of adults incorporating it into their routine. Usage varies by gender as 58% of women flossed regularly compared to 48% of men. Conversely, men were more likely to use toothpicks (31%) than women (25%).
Additionally, less commonly used products included water flossers (14%), interdental brushes (9%), and teeth whitening strips (8%).
Manual toothbrushes remained the most popular choice, with 64% of Americans reporting regular use. Electric toothbrushes were used by 23% while disposable electric and ultrasonic models were less common at 4% each.
When it comes to toothpaste, whitening and cavity protection were the top features, each favored by 50% of adults. Other valued features included breath freshening (42%), antiplaque (33%), and multiprotection formulas (33%). Features like antidecay (26%), tartar control (22%), desensitizing (16%), and antitoothache (11%) appealed to smaller groups, according to the report.
