A national survey found over a quarter of United States adults are dishonest with their dentists about how often they floss, and 18 percent would choose washing a sink full of dirty dishes over flossing.
The online survey was conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of the American Academy of Periodontology, and polled 2,021 adults among the top 10 markets in the United States.
Here are six things to know about flossing habits in the United States:
1. Twenty-seven percent of adults admit lying to their dentist about how often they floss, and 36 percent would rather do an unpleasant activity over daily flossing.
2. Fourteen percent of American adults would rather wait in a long check-out line and 9 percent would rather sit in gridlock traffic for an hour or do their taxes.
3. AAP president Joan Otomo-Corgel, DDS, MPH, sees the results of this survey as a clear indicator that there is more work to be done regarding oral hygiene and the bacterial species that can be found in plaque.
4. The survey shows regional distinctions in oral health, as Chicagoans are more likely than those in other regions to opt for an hour of traffic over daily flossing.
5. New Yorkers are more likely than those in other metro areas to include flossing in their routine.
6. Atlanta residents are more likely than those in other top metro regions to be honest with their dentist about their flossing habits.
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