World Oral Health Day on March 20, 2025, has the theme A healthy mouth ensures a healthy body. Poor oral health is associated with various health complaints, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatism, kidney and lung diseases, overweight, and problems during pregnancy [1].

Five times more likely to experience toothache with poor oral health

Among people who rate their oral health as poor or very poor, toothache was five times more common than among those who rate their oral health as good or very good: 50 versus 10 percent. Bleeding gums were three times more common among those aged 18 and over with poor or very poor oral health (46 versus 15 percent).

Fewer oral complaints with brushing twice or more daily

Among adults who brushed their teeth twice or more per day, toothache was less common in the previous twelve months than among adults who brushed once per day: 15 versus 22 percent. Among adults who reported brushing less than once a day, 28 percent experienced toothache.

Additionally, adults who brush their teeth twice or more per day less frequently experience bleeding gums than those who brush less often. Nearly 76 percent of those aged 18 and over who brushed their teeth at least twice daily reported having good or very good oral health. Among those who brushed once daily, 63 percent reported this, while among non-daily brushers, this was 39 percent.

3 in 4 adults brush their teeth twice a day or more

In 2024, 75 percent of adults reported brushing their teeth twice a day or more. 23 percent did so once a day, and 2 percent less than once a day. 44 percent reported cleaning between their teeth and molars with floss, toothpicks, or brushes once a day or more. Adults without their own teeth or molars are not included in this.

People with a denture reported less frequently having bleeding gums and toothache than people without a denture, both among those who rate their oral health as good or very good, and as poor or very poor.

Adults with dentures without their own teeth experience the best oral health

Of adults without dentures (with only their own teeth and molars), 75 percent rated their oral health as good or very good. Among adults with dentures, this is 64 percent. Among denture wearers, it makes a difference whether someone has their own teeth or molars: with their own teeth or molars, 56 percent were positive about their own oral health, without their own teeth or molars, this was 79 percent.

In 2024, 20 percent of adults had a denture. 7 percent of adults reported having no own teeth or molars anymore; most of them reported having a denture.