16 August 2023
Festival fun? Don’t forget to brush!
The weather has been kind so far this year and those who have already enjoyed one of the early music festivals around the UK, such as Download or the One Big Weekend, have been lucky enough to avoid a major mud bath. That’s not to say it won’t be another picture altogether as the remainder of the summer festivals get underway. Anybody who has been to a music festival will tell you that after the tent, waterproof clothing should be top of the list of priorities. Most people, however, overlook another extremely important item that you really shouldn’t go without – your toothbrush. Read on to learn why this should be one of the most important items to pack.
Festivals – a growing trend
Here in Britain, we love a music festival – even if it does mean getting soaked to the skin and covered in mud. Of course, Glastonbury is the king of all festivals, but there are many others both well-known and not so well known throughout the country.
According to the latest statistics, as many as one in ten 18-34 year olds have either attended or are planning to attend a festival this summer. Whilst younger generations are by far the largest demographic, many more people either side of this age group are also planning to get in on the fun.
Neglecting the basics
Although there has been a notable increase in awareness of the importance of good oral health over recent years, the research conducted by the Oral Health Foundation and Polo Sugar Free during the 2017 festival season made a concerning discovery. They found that people are putting their oral health at risk when attending music festivals by simply neglecting the basics and not prioritising their teeth.
The survey, regarded as the first study of its kind, revealed that as many as thirty percent of festival goers brushed their teeth as little as once a day or even less – putting themselves at serious risk of experiencing trouble with their teeth.
By brushing your teeth just once a day instead of the recommended twice, you increase the risk of tooth decay by up to 30% as acids are able to attack the teeth for considerably longer periods.
Unfortunately, even a few days of neglect can lead to long term problems and even cause irreversible damage in more extreme cases – especially if this is combined with a poor diet.
Diet dangers
The second major problem for teeth that was discovered by the researchers was that of the diet. A typical festival fan’s diet was found to include frequent consumption of large amounts of sugary foods and drinks, and of course there was plenty of alcohol in the mix.
All of this means that, if anything, brushing at a festival should be an even higher priority than usual. After eating anything sugary, your teeth are attacked by acid for up to an hour, and if you consume sweet products regularly throughout the period of a weekend, for example, the attack will become continuous.
The two trends combined create a potentially catastrophic mix as far as oral health is concerned, substantially increasing the risk of tooth decay developing.
Signs of hope
Despite real concern at the lack of brushing, the Oral Health foundation did also find some encouraging signs – a toothbrush was top of the packing list for over a quarter of people surveyed, often coming ahead of other essentials such as deodorant, baby wipes and even toilet roll. The intention, it seems, is there – but like anything else, it is action that is important, and this is crucial when it comes to protecting our teeth.
If you haven’t been to a festival yet but are still planning to, the advice is simple – don’t just pack your toothbrush, remember to brush properly twice a day!
Here at the award winning Ibbott&Co Dental Practice in Wadhurst, we pride ourselves in our proactive approach to healthy teeth and gums and are always happy to provide excellent dental care at our friendly and professional practice. To book an appointment now or enquire about becoming a new member, call today on 01892 782300 or click here to find more contact options online.
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