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A bright smile may be the goal, but Austria’s daily dental habits tell a different story. Despite clear recommendations from dentists—brush twice a day for at least two minutes—only a little more than half of Austrians follow these basic guidelines.
Nearly Half Brush Too Little or Too Quickly
According to a new Marketagent survey conducted for Oral‑B, 45 percent of Austrians brush their teeth too rarely or for too short a time. Even more concerning: 14 percent admit they sometimes forget to brush altogether. Younger adults from Generation Z and single parents are particularly prone to skipping their oral‑care routine.
The study also highlights another common oversight: replacing toothbrushes or brush heads. Although dental professionals advise switching every two to three months to maintain effective cleaning, only 58 percent of respondents do so regularly. Women tend to be more diligent, while men lag behind.
Health Protection Outweighs Cosmetic Concerns
When asked what matters most during brushing, respondents prioritized preventing health issues such as cavities (73 percent) and gum disease (63 percent). Fresh breath (57 percent) and the feeling of clean, smooth teeth (55 percent) followed. Whitening ranked much lower at 36 percent, though generational differences are striking: nearly half of Gen Z values white teeth, compared with just 22 percent of Baby Boomers.
Electric vs. Manual: A Gender Divide
Almost half of Austria’s population uses electric toothbrushes. The survey shows a clear split: 44 percent of women still prefer manual brushing, while 51 percent of men rely on electric devices.
Knowledge Gap in Oral Health
While nearly three‑quarters of respondents believe healthy teeth are important for overall well‑being, many remain unaware of the broader health implications. Three in ten Austrians do not know that poor oral health can affect the entire body.
Generational and regional differences are evident: 78 percent of Baby Boomers understand the connection, compared with only 58 percent of Gen Z. In Upper Austria, three‑quarters of residents are aware of the link, while in Vienna the figure drops to 62 percent.
Children’s Dental Care Still Undervalued
Despite the crucial role early habits play in lifelong oral health, 20 percent of Austrians do not consider children’s dental care particularly important. Only slightly more than half of parents regularly check whether their children are brushing correctly, and just 63 percent take them to routine dental check‑ups. One in five parents struggles to motivate their children to brush at all.
- surce: APA/picture: pixabay.com
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