Millennials and Oral Health: Important Facts You Should Know
There have been a number of studies regarding the relationship between millennials and oral healthcare. Most of them do not make pretty reading! If you were born between 1981 and 1996, read on to discover more about millennials and dental care, as you may need to start taking better care of your teeth.
Understanding genetics and oral health
Your genetics determine the number of things about your oral health. Genetics is the chief determinant of your enamel structure, and your enamel structure dictates how likely it is that you will encounter tooth decay. Your enamel is the protective layer covering the teeth’ visible part.
Oral health statistics
• More than 1 in 4 adults have untreated tooth decay in the United States.
• In fact, it is estimated that approximately 3.5 billion people around the world have some form of oral disease.
• If that was not bad enough, around 46 percent of all adults aged 30 years old or above show signs of gum disease.
These statistics show that we need to do more to combat oral health issues around the world.
10 Important facts related to dental issues in millennials
So, do millennials take good care of their teeth? Let’s take a look at some revealing statistics about millennials and dental care:
1. 56 percent of millennials are worried about losing teeth due to their oral health – This means more than one in every two people are scared about losing their teeth. Usually, if you’re scared of this, it means you are not looking after your teeth properly.
2. 22 percent of millennials avoid going to the dentist because they do not like the taste of the products used – If you do not like the taste, why not mention it with your dentist and see if they can use something else?
3. 62 percent of American adults are too scared to visit the dentist – Of these 62 percent, millennials make up the largest group.
4. Most people would rather face their fear of public speaking than go to the dentist – Public speaking is something a lot of people are scared of, but it seems that going to the dentist is scarier for many.
5. Fear of experiencing pain during treatment is the main reason millennials don’t want to go to the dentist – Did you know that most treatments are painless? The area is numbed so you do not experience any pain.
6. Working from home has led to disruptions in 43 percent of millennials in terms of going to the dentist – More and more people are working from home now, and many have cited this as worsening their dental habits.
7. 31 percent of millennials have snacked more due to Covid-19 – People seem to be eating more sugary snacks than ever before, which is making dental problems worse.
8. 38 percent of millennials have oral problems that impact the quality of their life – You should not have to suffer due to oral health problems. A dentist can make your life quality improve.
9. 35 percent of millennials have issues biting and chewing – From teeth that are not aligned properly to bruxism, there are many issues that can result in this, but treatment is available.
10. Only 30 percent of millennials visit the dentist at least once per year – Finally, shockingly, only 3 in 10 millennials are going to the dentist every year. This should be 100 percent!
Oral hygiene tips for millennials
So, what can millennials do to look after their teeth better?
• Do not smoke – Smoking causes damage to your body’s immune system, making it difficult for your body to heal tissues, including those in your mouth. In fact, smoking is labeled a risk factor for gum disease, as per CDC. Smoking can also give your breath a bad odor or yellow your tongue and teeth.
• Floss once per day – Floss can remove bacteria and plaque from between your teeth, where the toothbrush cannot reach. It can also help to prevent bad breath by getting rid of food and debris that is trapped between your teeth.
• Use fluoride – Fluoride comes from fluorine, which is an element in the earth’s soil. A lot of experts believe fluoride helps to prevent cavities, which is why it is a common ingredient in mouthwash and toothpaste. However, you won’t find it in all dental products, which is why we recommend reading the label first.
Find the best dentist based on the right data
There are a number of different things to consider when looking for the perfect dentist for you. Many people have one question: Does gender matter when choosing a doctor? Ultimately, there are no statistics to show that a female healthcare professional is better than a male one, or vice versa. It is all about your comfort levels and whether or not you have a preference.
The best thing to do is use a web-finding tool to find a dentist. You can search for a dentist in your local area, and then you will be able to compare the results. Here at Doc360°, we use a fair system to provide a median rating score based on many online sources.
Don’t overlook the importance of overall health
As you can see, the facts on millennial dental issues show that there are a number of reasons millennials need to be even more proactive regarding their oral health. Following the advice above and finding a great dentist is the obvious place to start. Building a good relationship with your dentist can help you to maintain pearly white teeth for years to come.
