A majority of adults kept up with their oral hygiene at home motivated by a desire to prevent costly dental issues, according to a Delta Dental report.
Delta Dental shared additional findings from its 2023 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report that show U.S. adults keep up with their oral hygiene to avoid unforeseen costs and prevent dental issues such as cavities and gum disease.
The report also finds that adults understand the importance of preventive oral health care for maintaining good oral health and avoiding unexpected care. Further, adults and children continue to follow recommended oral health guidelines at home to improve their overall health and wellness.
Key findings from the 2023 report include:
- More than 6 in 10 (64%) adults replace their toothbrush at least every three months, as recommended by the American Dental Association. This represents a 10% increase compared to 2022.
- More than 7 in 10 adults (79%) and children (73%) brush their teeth at least twice a day. However, children do a better job flossing once a day (55%) compared to adults (31%).
- While prevention is the main reason for dental visits among adults (78%) and children (85%), personal appearance (16%) has become a motivator for adults. In fact, adults are citing more personal appearance reasons for flossing than in 2022, such as freshening their breath (26%) and keeping teeth as white as possible (20%).
“Oral health is vital to everyone’s overall health and well-being,” said Joseph Dill, DDS, MBA, Chief Dental Officer, Delta Dental Plans Association. “Practicing good dental hygiene at home plays an integral role in maintaining one’s health, and I am pleased to see adults and children commit to positive oral health care through brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits.”
Learn more about consumer opinions and behaviors related to oral health in the 2023 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report.
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