Accra Ghana, 19th March, 2021 – A quarter of children around the world are not brushing their teeth day and night, with a 5% reduction in twice daily brushing for parents, and a staggering 11% drop in children in comparison to two years ago1, according to new global study2 commissioned by Pepsodent.
The research that surveyed nearly 7,000 participants from eight countries and 15 dentists from three countries revealed an expanded challenge in how adults and children alike view oral care.
Seven in ten people say they have been focusing more on their physical and mental health but not oral care while two in three (64%) people admitted they are not worried about their oral health despite 70% having experienced oral care issues such as tooth pain and cavities since the COVID-19 outbreak.
The research also shows that parents’ poor oral habits impact their children. Children are seven times more likely to skip teeth brushing if their parent does not brush day and night and experts agree maintaining a day and night brushing routine is vital.
Dr. Paapa Puplampu, President, Ghana Dental Association explains, “Tooth decay is the most widespread disease globally and dental cavities are prevalent amongst children. These are easily preventable by establishing a regular routine to brush both day and night with a fluoride toothpaste5. The research findings from Pepsodent reinforce the importance of parents prioritising their own oral health, since children mimic their habits.”
However, the research found that three in five (61%) parents let their child eat sugary foods before bed, whilst one in three (35%) parents have told their child they did not need to brush their teeth as a reward.
Surveyed dentists agreed that change in parents’ routines, as well as the added stress from the pandemic3 has changed children’s oral care habits hence the need for parents to be more deliberate in guiding their children’s day and night brushing routines.
As part of Pepsodent’s ongoing commitment to spread outstanding oral health across the globe and unleash the power of healthy smiles for millions, Pepsodent has developed the #BrushWithMe campaign. #BrushWithMe will be launched to celebrate World Oral Health Day 2021, the largest global awareness campaign for oral health.
Mame Serwah Saifah, Oral Care Brand Manager, Unilever Ghana, says, “From our research, we discovered that despite health being a key priority, fewer people are brushing twice a day now compared to 2 years ago. Therefore, this World Oral Health Day, Pepsodent through its #BrushWithMe campaign, will be encouraging parents in Ghana to brush both day and night with their children as a regular oral care routine. We hope this will drive positive impact.”
#BrushWithMe harnesses the key insights of the research to encourage families to prioritise the teeth brushing routine as a regular family activity. To help families create this lifelong habit, Pepsodent is providing parents and dentists with the resources to rebuild oral care habits that stick, such as the 21-day Brush Day and Night calendar and a storybook written to bring the joy into the act of brushing, titled ‘The Adventures of Little Brush, Big Brush’.
Join the campaign online, share a video or photo of yourself and loved ones brushing together as a family stand a chance of winning amazing gifts from Pepsodent Ghana with #BrushWithMe #WOHD21 #Pepsodent #BrushDayAndNight
To watch the #BrushWithMe film visit @PepsodentGH
1As compared to the Pepsodent Global Report 2019: The Hidden Impact of Oral Health on Children’s Lives, conducted with children aged 6-17 years old and their parents across eight markets: Chile, Egypt, France, Italy, Indonesia, US, Ghana, Vietnam. There was a total of 4,000 respondents (500 from each market).
2The Pepsodent Global Research Summary Report 2021: Attitudes, Behaviours an Experiences of Oral Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic was conducted in November-December 2020 with 6,734 parents in 8 countries: Bangladesh, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Ghana, and Vietnam
3 Global Research Summary Report 2021: Attitudes, Behaviours an Experiences of Oral Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic was conducted in November-December 2020 with 15 dental professionals across three markets in 2020: Indonesia, Italy, and Ghana.
4 Global Report 2019: The Hidden Impact of Oral Health on Children’s Lives
5 The Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, The State of Children’s Oral Health in England 2016-2017, January 2015.
About Unilever Ghana Limited
Unilever Ghana Limited is a multinational consumer goods company that markets beverages, cleaning agents, food and personal care products.
It is the largest producer and retailer of consumer goods in Ghana. The company meets every day needs for nutrition; hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. One of Unilever’s leading products is Pepsodent toothpaste.
About Pepsodent
Pepsodent is Ghana’s leading oral care brand produced by Unilever since 1942. Pepsodent toothpaste is endorsed by the Ghana Dental Association. Pepsodent toothpaste contains fluoride that helps prevent tooth decay and helps protect the smiles of the entire family. Every year, Pepsodent undertakes campaigns to improve oral health for over 25 years, reaching more than 75 million people worldwide to date.
Over the past 13 years, Unilever has partnered with the FDI- World Dental Federation, to help deliver on their aim to ‘lead the world to optimal oral health’.
