NOT-SO PEARLY WHITES: Nearly One In Four Brits Only Clean Their Teeth Once Daily

Nearly a quarter (23%) of Brits admit they only brush their teeth once a day and have no plans to clean them more frequently even as life begins to return to ‘normal’, findings from a new study reveal.

Research from leading savings site VoucherCodes.co.uk shows how far hygiene standards have slipped since the first lockdown began on 23^rd March 2020 and how much Brits are planning to spend on their appearance and personal hygiene as they reintegrate back into society.

Men are the worst offenders for skipping a second brush with only 59% brushing twice daily in comparison to 68% of women. The data also shows that over 8.5 million people (13%) don’t even brush their teeth at least once per day, favouring a few times per week.

Across the country, findings show residents in Cambridge are the worst at avoiding cleaning their teeth, with almost one in five (18%) admitting to skipping a daily brush, in favour of a few times a week or less. This is followed closely by Birmingham (17%), Bristol (16%) and Sheffield (16%).

Top UK cities where residents brush don’t brush their teeth everyday 

Dental hygiene isn’t the only thing that has slipped. Over two in five people (41%) have recently eaten out of a pan or food container to save on washing up. Moving to the bedroom, nearly half (45%) wash their bed sheets once every two weeks or less, which is significantly less than the recommended once per week.

The data also shows the nation loves to dodge showering, with half of Brits also admitting they don’t wash every day. Relationship status can impact how often people lather up with singletons are the dirtiest bunch with over half (54%) admitting they don’t wash every day. In comparison to 42% of those in relationships, 49% of people who live with their partner and 46% of married couples.

Findings show those in Leeds take the fewest showers per week (4.5). This is followed closely by Plymouth (4.6) and Brighton & Hove, Sheffield and Leicester (all 4.8).

Despite standards slipping since the start of the pandemic, the data shows that many people are willing to give up their bad ‘lockdown habits’ as normality resumes, with more than half (55%) saying they’ll care more about the way they look as they start spending more time with friends and family.

Over one in five (22%) are worried about seeing loved ones as they have put on weight in lockdown, and as 21^st June approaches, nearly a third (32%) say they will spend more money on their appearance than before the pandemic hit. More than a fifth (21%) are planning to have their hair done before seeing friends and family so they can look and feel their best, and consumers predict they’ll fork out £393 on their appearance on average in the first month of lockdown easing.