42% of Irish adults are missing teeth.

However, most people are happy with their dental health according to a new survey.

To mark World Oral Health Day 2012, GSK and Wrigley have released a pan-European survey on oral health.

It shows Irish people brush their teeth less frequently, and significantly more – 84% don’t brush their teeth or floss after meals, compared to EU figures.

25% said they eat between brushing teeth and going to sleep ‘most of the time’.

The survey’s authors are warning that good oral hygiene helps prevent diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.