Survey of 500 People: Nearly 1 in 2 Concerned About Bad Breath at Work. Fact-finding Survey on 'Oral Problems' Affecting Self and Others

According to the survey, 46.4% of respondents have been concerned about their own bad breath at work, and 47.8% have noticed the bad breath or mouth area of colleagues or clients.

On the other hand, 33.0% answered that they rarely receive regular checkups at a dental clinic, revealing a gap between oral health concerns and preventive behaviors.

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Survey Overview on the Reality of Oral Care

Survey Period: June 1, 2026 – June 1, 2026

Survey Institution: smileline Co., Ltd. (in-house survey)

Target: Men and women in their 20s to 40s nationwide

Valid Responses: 500 samples

Survey Method: Internet survey

Question 1: Do you perform oral care (brushing, flossing, etc.) daily?

Question 2: Which is the closest to your daily frequency of brushing teeth?

Question 3: Do you perform care other than brushing (flossing, mouthwash, etc.)?

Question 4: Do you regularly receive checkups and cleaning at a dental clinic?

Question 5: Have you ever been concerned about your own bad breath at work?

Question 6: Have you ever noticed the bad breath or mouth area of colleagues or clients?

Question 7: Would you like to focus more on oral care in the future?

* In principle, figures are rounded to the first decimal place, so the sum may not equal 100%.

■ Approximately 1 in 3 (31.0%) Fail to Make Oral Care a Daily Habit

Oral care is essential for preventing cavities, periodontal disease, and bad breath. However, this survey revealed that approximately 1 in 3 (31.0%) have not established oral care as a daily habit.

When asked about daily oral care, 45.8% answered "performing it thoroughly every day," and 23.2% answered "performing it almost every day," showing that 69.0% perform care continuously. On the other hand, a combined 31.0% responded with "performing it occasionally" (11.6%), "rarely performing it" (5.0%), and "not performing it at all" (14.4%).

Of particular note is that 14.4% of respondents—about 1 in 7—answered "not performing it at all." Even in modern times when the importance of oral care is widely recognized, this highlights the reality that adequate care habits have not fully spread.

Out of 249 men and 251 women:

Performing thoroughly every day: Men 101 (approx. 40.56%) / Women 128 (approx. 51.00%)

Performing thoroughly + almost every day: Men 162 (approx. 65.06%) / Women 183 (approx. 72.91%)

Not performing at all: Men 42 (approx. 16.87%) / Women 30 (approx. 11.95%)

Those without a fixed oral care habit: Men 87 (approx. 34.94%) / Women 68 (approx. 27.09%)

This survey indicates gender differences in oral care awareness and habits, suggesting that women are more proactive in daily care. Meanwhile, about 1 in 6 men reported not performing oral care at all, revealing a clear challenge in establishing oral care habits among men.

Oral health is an important factor affecting not only the risk of unnoticed bad breath and periodontal disease but also the impression given to others. While daily care is becoming common, the results suggest that its habituation still faces challenges.

■ Approximately 1 in 4 (26.4%) Brush Teeth Once a Day or Less, Showing a Gap in Awareness

When asked about the frequency of brushing teeth per day, "twice" was the most common at 47.0%, followed by "three times or more" at 26.6%. A total of 73.6% brush their teeth twice or more a day, indicating that daily brushing habits are established to a certain extent.

On the other hand, "once" was 12.8%, and "some days not brushing" was 13.6%, resulting in a total of 26.4%, meaning about 1 in 4 brush their teeth once a day or less.

While interest in bad breath prevention and periodontal disease prevention has risen in recent years, a significant portion of the population still lacks basic oral care habits. Although 69.0% answered "performing oral care daily" in the previous question, these results reveal a gap between oral care awareness and actual behavior.

Out of 249 men and 251 women:

2 or more times a day: Men 170 (approx. 68.27%) / Women 198 (approx. 7