[Umigame Co., Ltd.] Are you okay with oral care during a disaster? Approximately 80% of people do not know about emergency tooth brushing measures
*Umigame Co., Ltd.*
Press release: August 21, 2024
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Are you okay with oral care during disasters? Approximately 80% of people do not know about emergency tooth brushing measures
*Umigame Co., Ltd. (Location: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Yusuke Matsushita), which provides marketing DX services for dental clinics, conducted a survey regarding teeth brushing, and we would like to introduce the results. *
Survey overview
With large-scale disasters such as Nankai Trough earthquakes and direct earthquakes predicted, what kind of disaster prevention measures are you taking? Many people may be well stocked with food and daily necessities, but what about preparing for oral care?
In this article, we will introduce effective oral care methods that can be practiced even in situations where water is not available, as well as recommended oral care products to add to your emergency bag. Why not take this opportunity to review your oral care preparations as part of your disaster prevention measures?
This time, we conducted a survey asking, * “Do you know how to brush your teeth in times of disaster or when there is no water available?” *
Only 21% of people know how to brush their teeth when water is unavailable during a disaster*
It was revealed that about 80% of people do not know how to do this. This shows that many people do not have sufficient awareness of the importance of oral care during disasters and specific measures to take.
Lack of oral care during a disaster can not only lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease, but can also have a negative impact on your overall health, such as influenza and aspiration pneumonia. Proper oral care is essential to maintaining good health, especially if the evacuation period is prolonged.
▼How to care for your mouth when you don’t have a toothbrush In the event of a disaster, it is possible that you may not have a toothbrush handy at an evacuation center. Even in such cases, it is important not to neglect oral care. For example, you can remove stains by thoroughly rinsing your mouth with about 30 mL (about 2
tablespoons) of water or tea after a meal, and wiping your teeth with a handkerchief or tissue wrapped around your finger.
▼Use of non-alcoholic wet tissues
Furthermore, it is also effective to use non-alcoholic wet wipes instead of a handkerchief. You can easily perform oral care by wrapping a wet tissue around your finger and wiping your teeth. Wet tissues for brushing your teeth are also commercially available and are very useful in emergencies.
▼Items to add to your emergency bag
In anticipation of living in an evacuation center, it is a good idea to add the following items to your emergency bag.
・Wet tissue for tooth brushing
・Non-alcoholic wet tissues
・Toothbrush substitutes such as handkerchiefs and tissues
By preparing these items, you can maintain oral hygiene and protect your health even in the event of a disaster.
Even in times of disaster, oral care is extremely important to protect your overall health. Maintain your oral health even during evacuation by making effective use of limited resources and adding oral care products to your emergency bag. It is important to comprehensively prepare for disasters, including daily care.
[Survey overview]
Target audience: Men and women in their 20s to 40s nationwide Number of samples: 300 people
Place of residence: Nationwide
Research method: Internet research questionnaire
Implementation date: August 2024