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British Kids Have The Best Teeth, New Study Shows
Filed under: In The News, Weird But True
Kids in the United States lag behind the British when it comes to oral hygiene. Credit: oskay, Flickr
The Economist reports that Britain's children, along with the Germans, have the healthiest pearly whites of all, according to a new study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. In contrast, Poland came in last -- a 12-year-old in that country has nearly four teeth that are missing, decayed or have fillings.
Where do American kids fall on the dental-heath continuum? Each child has at least one decayed or missing tooth. Other countries that need to do better brushing include Hungary, South Korea and Greece. Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden can also claim toothy grinned bragging rights, according to the OECD, as kids there have fewer than one missing or decayed tooth.
Still looking for a great stocking stuffer? Consider a toothbrush.
Related: Best and Worst Cities for Dental Hygiene, DailyDish: Toothbrushing Tactics, Tips on Toothbrush Care
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
12-15-2009 @ 6:30PM
Elizabeth said...This is very true. When I was living in England last year, the children all had very nice teeth and the parents were obsessed with them brushing (though not so much the parents themselves). I think this has to do with the availability of not only affordable dental care, but dental products as well. I've seen toothbrushes here sell for as much as five dollars--even at Wal-mart. In England you wouldn't pay more than a pound for the highest quality toothbrush. We really need to get our priorities straight over here--health and education! Everyone needs access to both, and good quality of both.
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12-15-2009 @ 9:17PM
Aviator59687 said...This Article is totally bogus. In 2007 the Brits were in last place for dental hygiene. Just Google British Dental Hygiene and read read read. Bunch of damn liars.
12-15-2009 @ 10:19PM
MakesPerfectSense said...Couldn't agree more about U.S. "needing to get our prioities straight". Everything is about profit over and above the percentage of profit from the year's before percentage increase in profit... and so here we are with people who can't afford the best dental brushes, and for that matter, a good dentist. Disgraceful.
12-15-2009 @ 8:19PM
BYoung said...Apparently whoever conducted this survey has never visited China...Most kids baby teeth rot out because they believe since they lose them anyway, why bother taking care of them. The adults mouths are not much better...
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12-15-2009 @ 8:46PM
Hattie Crabtree said...A lot of Asians have terrible teeth,esp the Japanese and Filopenas.
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2-08-2010 @ 2:18PM
Jeff said...Why then, if you read the survey, does South Korea and Japan come out BETTER than America? That doesn't fit your prejudiced assumptions.
12-15-2009 @ 9:11PM
Dana said...Well that is pretty flipping funny considering that in the last thirty years of meeting Brits, their teeth look like popcorn with chocolate sprinkles! Then again they were ADULT Brits - Goes without saying but I will anyway, the children have nice teeth, but once they hit adulthood, it appears as though they've been eating rocks and washing with sewer water at best.
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12-16-2009 @ 4:14AM
Ryan said...OMG!!! ROFLMMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wHAT AN IAGINATION!!! You funny beast. I luv you, Dana. LOL Whoever knew the thruth could be so funny!?!?!? Brits teeth are the PITS!!! a.k.a. SHITS!!! Just smell their breaths!!! Bloody awful!!! The "author" of this article is a 'wee tad' misinformed. lol
Less tea, and biscuits. More dental care, blote!!! A toothbrush, toothe paste, as well as some GUM!!! HAHA!!!
12-15-2009 @ 9:59PM
diane said...But isn't the British system free?
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12-15-2009 @ 9:16PM
crokrz1 said...AOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP THE ADVERTISERS ON THE COMMENTS PAGE!
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12-15-2009 @ 9:39PM
Docmag said...Can't believe every child has at least one missing tooth or filling in the USA. Been practicing dentistry here for 25 years. The statistics maybe shifting if you include illegal aliens or foreigners in general who change the dynamics of a study, but for the most part the children I've treated are cavity free.
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12-16-2009 @ 2:15AM
DROF2TH said...NO SURPRISE BECAUSE THE TOOTH BRUSH WAS INVENTED IN LONDON! IF IT WERE INVENTED ANYWHERE ELSE, IT WOULD BE CALLED A TEETH BRUSH!
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12-16-2009 @ 2:28AM
mr_c_2_u said...Umm, how on earth would you get this statistic? My guess would be to check the dentists' records. Which means that you wouldn't be able to get an accurate figure for kids who never saw a dentist. And in all cases, it's much more likely to visit a dentist when you have a problem with your teeth.
Let's face it, British kids probably do brush their teeth more, because they don't want to look like their uncle who has five teeth missing but can't get in to see a dentist. (Read the 2007 teeth survey!)
Isn't it convenient how all of these studies are coming out while the media is attempting to brainwash the US into full socialized medicine?
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12-16-2009 @ 2:49AM
blackatom said...The tooth-brush was invented in Britain.
It must have been invented in Britain.
Because it's called the "tooth-brush."
Otherwise it would have been called the "TEETH-BRUSH."
British people suck.
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12-16-2009 @ 4:16AM
DJ said...As the parents of a 32 and 30 year old, neither of them EVER has had a cavity. If parents get sealants on their kids and make sure they drink fluoridated water, there's no reason for kids to have bad tooth decay.
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12-16-2009 @ 4:57PM
RedMan said...In February 2007 a 12-year-old boy in Maryland who lacked dental & medical insurance died of complications secondary to a dental abscess. I have not heard of that happening in Britain. Still, we have these moronic "tea baggers" out screaming about not wanting the government to do anything about the 'medical insurance crisis' in the United States. America is not the best medical care system in the world in case you haven't realized it or admitted it yet.
Smile on, Britain!
Britain has the highest per capita concentration of individuals with genius-level IQ's as well. Uh, go figure... (lol)
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