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POOR DENTAL HABITS as a child has led to Irish people having broken or missing teeth as an adult.
That’s according to a survey by Seapoint Clinic, which said 35 per cent of Irish people have broken or missing teeth, with a quarter blaming their bad habits as a child for this.
Survey
Most people surveyed had fillings (86 per cent), with almost half (42 per cent) having between two and three fillings.
More than half (60 per cent) of people aren’t happy with their smile, with 71 per cent even saying they would consider cosmetic dentistry.
When asked what they would change about their smile, 65 per cent said they would make their teeth white, while 12 per cent wanted straighter teeth.
Dentist
How often do you brush your teeth? Most people polled said they brush twice a day (84 per cent), but 49 per cent said they don’t floss. Almost 1 in 5 people visit the dentist every two years.
Two per cent polled admitted they have never visited the dentist.
Dr Tom Linehan of Seapoint Clinic said:
While it was heartening to see that the majority of people polled are brushing the recommended twice a day, the amount of people flossing is quite poor. Flossing is an essential part of an oral hygiene routine to help prevent gum disease which is the most common cause of tooth loss.
Celeb smiles
When asked about their favourite celebrity smiles, over one third (39 per cent) said that Hollywood A-lister George Clooney has the best smile in Hollywood.
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole topped the poll for female celebs (34 per cent), while Julia Roberts received 20 per cent of votes.
But what about Irish celebs? Here are the results, in slideshow form, so they can show off their grins themselves.
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One word! Fluoride! Why are we the only country in europe with it in our drinking water!!!!!
According to a recent Harvard study flouride makes you dumb and docile. Works a treat in this country.
Link to the study please? Funny how I dont feel dumb or docile, well, actually I feel a little bit dumber after reading that comment…
We have Fluoride in our water supply because it works to reduce decay as you can see in any well designed study. http://lenus.ie/hse/bitstream/10147/119028/1/OralHealthReport.pdf Compares North to Republic of ireland, and compares the effect of Fluoridation vs non fluoridation.
There’s a link for you. Those scientists did the research you were too lazy/ignorant to look up to inform yourself..despite being poisoned with fluoride their whole lives, quel suprise!
Look it up yourself dukey. Theres a thing called google. Type in flouride + Harvard and the study is less than a week old so it shouldn’t be hard to find.
Swedish Model of social security would mean all would have dental care and education. The sooner politicians start to demand and achieve this system, the happier everyone will be.
Well we might all have nice pearly whites if it wasn’t so dam expensive!!!typical rip off Ireland if you want nice teeth your going to pay dearly!
Tooth brushing and eating refined carbohydrate less frequently costs very little.
I always had nice teeth when I was in school and working b4 i was let go! I have problems with my teeth now and cant afford to go to the dentist since 08 so ill just have to suffer until i finish my degree and get a job to pay for it again! Medical cards dont cover everything and im terrified to be given another bill i cant afford to pay!!
If you have a medical card most things like cleaning n fillings are covered i make sure to tell my dentist that i cant afford any work that’s not covered on the medical card so she knows what she can do. So get those choppers looked at!
This maybe a stupid question, but seeing as dental problems can certainly lead to other major problems, do dentists not do payment plans? (suddenly ‘Lisa needs braces’ popped into my head)
@emi i didn’t think cleaning was covered?
cleaning is no longer covered by medical cards, if you need more than 2 fillings you have to pay for it even if you have a medical card. People can’t afford to go to a dentist and get their teeth cleaned if you are on jobseekers/C.E. scheme, I am doing a C.E scheme and I can barely pay my bills let alone go and find money to get my teeth cleaned.
As far as i know basic cleaning on your checkups is covered. My Dentists does payment plans also so there should be no real excuses for abandoning your oral health there is always a way. It’s funny how advice can get so many thumbs down god people.
I’m really fortunate with my teeth, thankfully. Only have one filing which I got two years ago. I have my top wisdom teeth too. I brush twice a day and use those little brushes every other day (my dentist said they’re actually better than flossing). I’d prefer to look after them as best I can and prevent expensive dental bills.
Cool story, bro
You’re welcome, sis =)
I’m lucky enough to have a fantastic set of choppers. Left in a glass of sterident overnight and they come up pristine!
Irish dentists are rip off merchants. Go to Hungary and you can get crowns for a fraction of the price. Teeth cleaning should be done by people who haven’t gone to college for six or seven years. Get different one year courses for such work and bring the cost down considerably. Irish eyes are the only thing smiling. Foreigners think our teeth are disgusting.
Almost fifty and no fillings. I went to the dentist last in 1994 and before that in 1974. Good genes I suppose and regular brushing and flossing.
Was Pippa O’Connor really in those pics?
Reduce dental fees.The only answer.
Give us back our prsi benefits and we might have some chance . Those of us who don’t have medical cards are being ripped off at the dentists .and not every one can afford the more expensive but essential treatments
Well done neill no one knew that!!
They do now
They do now
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