One in five Brits admit they don't brush their teeth at least one day a week, according to research.
A major oral health study of 2,000 adults, covering all topics from brushing frequency to oral knowledge, also revealed 41 per cent brush their teeth for less than a minute in total, each day.
And 18 per cent admit to spending less time tending to their gnashers due to running late for work, while 37 per cent acknowledged a good clean before bedtime is often missed.
As a result, 25 per cent would be embarrassed about the state of their mouths were they to have a check-up – with 12 per cent going to the dentist less than once a year.
More than a tenth (13 per cent) have told porkies when it comes to how frequently they floss, and nine per cent have fibbed about how often they visit the dentist.
A spokesman from Sensodyne, which commissioned the research to highlight the importance of looking after gums as well as sensitive teeth, said: “There’s a lot going on in your mouth that you don’t think about.
“Aside from whether you have sensitive teeth or not, considering the health of your gums is vitally important – including reaching difficult areas in between your teeth and along the gum line.
“Often, out of sight can be out of mind – but in the case of your oral health, it’s critical to keep it at the forefront of your thoughts.”
Of those who dodge the dentist, 39 per cent admit they simply don’t like visiting them, while 31 per cent are not currently registered.
And 16 per cent have put off going because they’re worried about what they might find out.
While 11 per cent just don’t want to get any work done, such as fillings or something even more invasive, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
It also emerged 11 per cent rarely, or never, consider the health of their gums – and as many as 60 per cent simply presume that by brushing their teeth, they are naturally also looking after their gums.
As a result, 25 per cent say they have never been keen on their smile, and 21 per cent tend to avoid showing their teeth when smiling in photos.
Half of those surveyed believe they do a “decent” job in keeping their mouths healthy, but admit there’s room for improvement.
And 24 per cent admit they should probably know more about oral hygiene, while 15 per cent don’t know much about gums.
The spokesman for Sensodyne, which commissioned the research to mark the relaunch of its Sensitivity & Gum Toothpaste, added: “Healthy teeth and gums are something millions of people tend to take for granted.
“That's why it's so important to keep on top of our oral care routine. By correctly brushing our teeth twice-daily, we can help our teeth and gums stay healthy.”
