Seven percent of people use hair as ‘floss’

Seven percent of people use strands of hair to dislodge food from between their teeth, new research reveals.

Despite putting themselves at risk of pain, 61 percent use their fingernails, 40 percent folded paper, 21 percent cutlery and 14 percent safety pins as makeshift ‘floss’, a survey found.

Some eight percent of people never floss, despite its proven benefits at removing harmful bacteria, preventing gum sensitivity and stopping bad breath, the research adds.

More than half of those who do not floss claim they cannot fit the oral-hygiene habit into their busy schedules, the survey found. 

Some nine percent find the practice too disgusting to do, while others blame forgetfulness, laziness, pain and expense, the research adds.

Seven percent of people use strands of hair to dislodge food from between their teeth

ONE IN SEVEN TODDLERS HAS TOOTH DECAY – AS PARENTS ARE UNAWARE THEY NEED TO BRUSH THEIR CHILDREN’S TEETH 

One in seven toddlers has tooth decay, research revealed in August.

Some 14 per cent of three-year-olds have a decayed, missing or filled tooth, a study found.

Experts worry parents do not appreciate the importance of brushing their children’s teeth as they juggle the responsibility of raising a family.

Study author Maria Morgan from Cardiff University, said: ‘People don’t realise that you should start that early.

‘We are having some children at five, six or seven who are having five, six, seven, eight, nine teeth removed in one go.’ 

‘The key is finding what works best for you to stick with’

Researchers from the home dental care device-manufacturer Waterpik commissioned a poll of more than 1,005 people from the US, Hawaii and Alaska.  

Results reveal 61 percent of people have used a fingernail to remove food lodged between their teeth, while 40 percent have used folded paper and 21 percent cutlery.

Safety pins are used by 14 percent of the public, while seven percent turn strands of hair into makeshift floss.

These findings come despite two-thirds of people claiming to understand the dangers of using foreign objects to dislodge food.

More than two-fifths of people have experienced pain from overzealous prying. 

Dr Brittany Seymour from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, said: ‘It’s really easy to use clean and safe items on-the-go and at home – like string floss, dental picks and water flossers.

‘The key is finding what works best for you to stick with every day.’

Eight percent of people never floss 

Of those surveyed, only 16 percent floss every day.

Some 20 percent only practice the vital oral hygiene measure when it appears to be necessary.

One in eight do so four-to-five times a week, while 28 percent floss between once and three times a week.

Eight percent of people do not floss at all despite its importance at removing bacteria, preventing gum sensitivity and stopping bad breath. 

The most common reason for skipping the oral-hygiene habit is a lack of time, with 55 percent of people being unable to fit flossing into their schedules.

Some 16 percent find the act painful and nine percent think it is disgusting.

Forgetfulness, laziness and expense are also often blamed.

While most visit the dentist at least once every six months, many are dishonest about their flossing habits. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk