Bad Dental Habits Increase Risk of Swine Flu

Bad dental hygiene could possibly increase the swine flu risk, as reported by the National Dental Survey.

The survey was conducted as part of National Smile Month (May 17th – June 16th) by the British Dental Health Foundation.

Bad dental habits are helping to spread germs, and around 40 percent of the UK population admits to picking their teeth with fingernails.

This habit can cause the risk of spreading germs from surfaces touched by the hands to the mouth and through the rest of the body.

The chief executive of the Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, states that ‘hygiene warnings have been made clear ever since the swine flu outbreak’ and calls the report ‘worrying’ that people have not been making personal hygiene a top priority.

The survey results showed that the UK has a lack of awareness when it comes to how important oral health can be, after research has already linked gum disease to diabetes, strokes, heart disease, premature births, and even infertility.

However, awareness of these studies is low, and two-thirds of the UK population are still unaware of the possible links to heart disease, with four out of five not knowing of the links to diabetes and strokes, and a very high 94 percent of those who took part not knowing of the risks to pregnant women.

Dr Carter also added: ‘The public could be put at risk by poor dental hygiene habits yet awareness of these risks is very low’. In particular he emphasises the fact that gum disease has been linked to serious health issues, and is something that affects most people in their lives, stating ‘ there is no excuse for ignoring good dental hygiene’.

Carter suggests that the best way to take care of our gums is to brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and cleaning in between our teeth with an interdental brush or floss. We should also cut down on how often we eat sugary snacks and drinks, as well as visiting the dentist regularly.

The British Dental Health Foundation has set up a phone line through which they will provide expert advice to the public, on 1045 063 1188.