Gen Z and millennials are particularly weak to dental misinformation on-line, in keeping with a brand new U.S. survey commissioned by the American Affiliation of Endodontists (AAE).
The outcomes recommend youthful adults are more and more afraid of dental remedy, particularly root canals, due partially to social media myths and confusion about credible sources.
The survey, performed by analysis company Atomik Analysis between Feb. 19 and Feb. 27, polled 1,019 adults throughout the USA. Practically half of Gen Z (48 per cent) and millennial (46 per cent) respondents mentioned they feared root canals, in comparison with 38 per cent of all adults surveyed.
“We’re involved that concern and misinformation is contributing to youthful adults avoiding the dental chair.” Dr. Steven J. Katz, AAE president
For a lot of, that concern stems from digital misinformation. Forty per cent of Gen Z and 36 per cent of millennials reported that they typically or all the time battle to tell apart between myths and information when studying about dental well being on-line.
“We’re involved that concern and misinformation is contributing to youthful adults avoiding the dental chair, as practically half of each Gen Z and millennial adults surveyed admitted to solely going to the dentist when experiencing ache of their mouth,” mentioned Dr. Steven J. Katz, AAE president, in a information launch. “Individuals who don’t get routine dental care are in danger for severe tooth decay, which might result in total well being points.”
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Associated hyperlink: Competing with TikTok Dental Recommendation: Educating Gen Z Earlier than the Harm is Achieved
The findings reinforce outcomes from the 2025 Edelman Belief Barometer, which confirmed 45 per cent of adults aged 18 to 34 mentioned their well being selections are influenced by “uncertified” voices reminiscent of influencers and content material creators. Of that group, 58 per cent admitted to creating a regrettable well being determination based mostly on misinformation from social media.
Root canals most popular over extractions
The AAE survey additionally discovered that 45 per cent of adults have had a root canal, and of these, 71 per cent mentioned they have been glad they opted for the process as an alternative of getting a tooth extracted. Actually, 29 per cent of all respondents mentioned they’d fairly get the flu than have a tooth pulled.
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Dental trauma and meals misconceptions
Many adults underestimate the dental dangers posed by widespread meals. Whereas 85 per cent of adults consider exhausting sweet can harm tooth or trigger accidents, fewer acknowledge the dangers posed by popcorn (44 per cent) and nuts (37 per cent). Practically half (49 per cent) of respondents mentioned that they had chipped a tooth on exhausting meals, which raised issues about their dental well being.
Tooth trauma can be widespread, particularly in kids. It’s estimated that greater than 5 million tooth are knocked out annually in each kids and adults, with these underneath age 10 notably weak.
Misinformation versus trusted sources
Whereas 85 per cent of adults mentioned they belief dental professionals for oral well being recommendation, practically one in 4 (23 per cent) mentioned they depend on Google searches. In the meantime, 42 per cent mentioned they solely go to the dentist when experiencing ache, regardless of 94 per cent agreeing it’s essential to hold their pure tooth so long as attainable.
