/ Creating Healthy Habits with TePe

Creating Healthy Habits with TePe

When it comes to health, most of us focus on what is visible. In fact, our latest research shows that 83% of UK adults admit they always or occasionally judge how healthy they feel based on how they look – despite our appearance not being a true indicator of health. What’s happening beneath the surface – especially in your mouth – plays a vital role in your overall wellbeing.

The research tells us that younger people are more likely to focus on how healthy they look – from white teeth to appearance – while older generations prioritise how healthy they feel.

 

The majority (62%) of 18–30-year-olds prioritise their visible health, and just 18% regularly think about their gum health.  Data shows that we often overlook the habits that protect our long-term health until later in life, as 71% of over 40s say how their body functions matters more to them than its appearance [1].

Embrace our ‘invisible’ health

Miranda Pascucci, Head of Clinical Education and Dental Therapist at TePe explains why we should embrace our ‘invisible’ health as much as what’s visible

It’s easy to focus on a bright smile. But what about your gums and the areas your toothbrush can’t reach? A toothbrush only cleans around 60% of your tooth surface, leaving 40% uncleaned, where plaque builds up.

Over time, this can lead to bad breath, dental pain and cavities. Something that started out as invisible can easily change to show very visible issues! And it’s not just about your mouth; the bacteria from a build-up of plaque is also linked with heart disease and Alzheimer's, so cleaning the whole tooth’s surface and having healthy gums has far more benefits than just having a clean mouth.

Some people may find it hard to create a consistent oral care routine, but the good news is that it’s never too late to start looking after your oral health – and it can take as little as three minutes!

The three minute rule

The three-minute rule is TePe’s simple approach to oral care. Looking after your teeth and gums doesn’t need to be complicated, and in fact, you’ll create more barriers than see benefits. Our method is simple:

  • 1 minute cleaning between your teeth with a TePe Interdental Brush or dental floss
  • 2 minutes brushing your teeth with a toothbrush and a fluoride-containing toothpaste

This one extra minute helps to remove the plaque between your teeth, supporting healthier gums and better overall wellbeing.

Healthy Habits

After all, we’re all creatures of habit, and a habit only works when it’s habitual. From applying skincare before bed, to setting our morning alarm, to making a cup of tea during an ad break, the more we can make small habits automatic – making them habitual – the more your health will benefit. Interdental cleaning works best when done daily, so weaving it into your nightly ritual using the three-minute rule is the best way to stay consistent.

 

👉 TePe makes it easy to create your own oral health routine, with its range of TePe Interdental Brushes here.



Sources

[1] TePe conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults via Prospectus Global, February 2026

[2] TePe conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults via OnePoll, September 2025