[June 4-10 is 'Teeth and Mouth Health Week'] 62% of working adults are unaware of the 'hidden summer bad breath risk'

The oral care brand 'HaRENO', operated by AbemaTV, Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Susumu Fujita), conducted a survey on oral care in anticipation of summer, a season where bad breath risks may increase due to the frequent use of air conditioning during extreme heat, in conjunction with 'Teeth and Mouth Health Week' (June 4-10).

■ Background of the survey: Two factors that increase bad breath risk in summer
1. Progression of summer dry mouth: Humidity drops due to air conditioning, causing the mouth to dry out. This reduces saliva, which has self-cleaning and antibacterial properties, leading to the proliferation of anaerobic bacteria and the production of 'Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC)', the cause of bad breath.
2. Accumulation of plaque: To suppress bad breath, it is essential to physically remove plaque to prevent the formation of VSC. If left untreated, plaque turns into tartar, which cannot be removed by self-care. It is crucial to remove it efficiently before it accumulates.

The survey clarified the awareness of summer bad breath risks, the time working adults can dedicate to oral care during lunch breaks, and their attitudes toward choosing toothbrushes.

[Survey Summary]
- 62.7% of working adults are 'unaware' that summer dry mouth can make bad breath more noticeable.
- Only 14.4% of working adults can spend 5 minutes or more on oral care during their lunch break on workdays.
- Nearly half (47.9%) of working adults feel that using interdental brushes or floss during lunch breaks is 'not realistic'.
- 'Nothing in particular' was the most common answer regarding what is prioritized when choosing a toothbrush (21.7%).

[Survey Overview]
Subject: Oral care brand 'HaRENO'
Method: Internet research
Period: May 21, 2026 (Thursday)
Target: Working men and women aged 20-59 nationwide
Valid responses: 3,000

[Survey Results]
Regarding the reality of bad breath, 58.9% of respondents have been concerned about their own bad breath, and 65.9% have been concerned about others'. Regarding the cause, 'food/luxury items' and 'oral problems' were cited almost equally. Over 70% of people do not feel that bad breath is more noticeable in summer, and over 40% have never thought about seasonal differences. Only 37.2% were aware that air conditioning-induced dryness increases bad breath risk.

Regarding daily oral care, 43.2% of people do not perform oral care or have almost no time for it during lunch breaks. Even among those who do, 42.4% spend less than 5 minutes. 47.9% feel that using interdental brushes or floss is not realistic during lunch breaks.

[Comment from Dr. Mika Maejima, Ajute Maejima Dental Clinic]
Summer is a time when 'dry mouth' is common due to air conditioning and mouth breathing. When saliva decreases, self-cleaning and antibacterial functions decline, leading to bad breath. It is important to focus on 'lifestyle habits to suppress oral dryness' and 'care to remove plaque'. For dryness, frequent hydration and choosing drinks without strong diuretic effects are effective. For plaque, it is crucial to remove it while it can still be brushed away, focusing on areas where plaque accumulates easily, such as between teeth and along the gum line.

[About HaRENO]
With the concept of 'Making the 100-year life era bright', we aim to contribute to health by turning daily oral care into a positive habit.
Official site: https://hareno100.jp/