How often do we brush our teeth?   

Although as many as 90% of children say they brush their teeth at least once a day, only 70% meet dentists' recommendations by brushing twice a day. Differences in the frequency of brushing teeth are apparent depending on the region of the world: in Paraguay, only 0.4% of children never brush their teeth, while in Egypt, as many as 19.3% of respondents neglect this essential activity. The frequency of brushing teeth increases with age - the youngest children are more likely to neglect oral hygiene. Girls are much more conscientious than boys - in 56 of the 72 countries surveyed, boys were more likely to admit not brushing regularly.   

Regions of the world and hygiene habits   

Geography influences the formation of hygiene habits. The Americas region has the highest percentage of people brushing their teeth twice a day (82.9%), while in the Middle East and Northeast Africa region, the result is only 41.4%. The high percentage of people who do not brush their teeth in these regions may be related to Miswak, a traditional tooth-cleaning stick that needs to be included in standard surveys. In countries such as Egypt (19.3%), Yemen (17.8%), and Morocco (15.1%), more than 10% of children rarely or never brush their teeth, while in Belize and Paraguay, as many as 90% of children brush their teeth twice a day, placing these countries among the world leaders.  

Traditional oral hygiene methods   

Surveys need to consider the wide variety of traditional oral hygiene methods used around the world, as the author of the article, Rajat Das Gupta, also points out. In India and Africa, neem tree sticks are popular, providing a natural alternative to toothpaste due to their antibacterial properties. In Southeast Asia, oil pulling, which involves rinsing the mouth with coconut or sesame oil, is practiced. In Latin America, wood ash or coal is used, adapting practices to locally available resources. Miswak, popular in the Middle East region, is used as an eco-friendly hygiene method, although its use often escapes global statistics. And this is important. Oral hygiene is a daily habit and a reflection of tradition, culture, and economic conditions.

Economics and oral hygiene   

A country's level of wealth significantly affects hygiene habits. In countries with low GDP, more than 13% of children never or rarely brush their teeth, and only 59.8% meet the recommendation to brush twice a day. Interestingly, in the wealthiest countries, the percentage of people brushing their teeth twice a day is 69.9%, which is lower compared to 78.6% in middle-income countries. This may be due to the diversity of hygiene methods, which are as effective as standard practices in many cultures, and differences in the availability of hygiene products.  

Education as a tool for change   

Schools have long been the place where children learn more than the alphabet - it's also where essential health habits are formed. Early oral hygiene education can change thousands of children's lives worldwide. Workshops, hands-on lessons, and interactive activities teach brushing techniques and provide an opportunity to understand why daily care of teeth translates into lifelong health.   

- School-based educational programs focused on dental health, especially for younger children, can significantly foster the development of positive habits that will benefit health, now and in the future, - notes Rajat Das Gupta.   

The biggest challenge remains for younger children and boys — the groups most likely to neglect hygiene. Early interventions incorporating modern tools such as mobile apps and educational videos, as well as traditional methods such as the Miswak popular in the Middle East, can effectively change these statistics. The key is to introduce new habits while respecting local traditions simultaneously.   

Parental involvement further reinforces the effectiveness of such programs — it is at home that children develop routines, and adult support can be a crucial element in cementing healthy habits. However, in regions with lower levels of affluence, providing basic hygiene products, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, is a first step that can still be challenging.   

Schools can become places where healthy habits germinate and last a lifetime. This is an investment not only in cleaner teeth but also in healthier societies of the future.