Although most American adults report maintaining consistent oral hygiene routines, many regularly omit recommended oral care practices, according to a nationally representative YouGov survey commissioned by TheraBreath. The findings highlight opportunities for dental professionals to improve patient education, address barriers to oral hygiene, and encourage sustainable preventive care habits.
According to the survey, 83% of US adults describe their oral care routines as very or somewhat consistent, yet 84% report skipping at least one of the oral hygiene practices evaluated. Flossing was the most frequently omitted practice (45%), followed by tongue cleaning (44%), mouthrinse use (43%), and brushing before bedtime (42%).
The survey also found that dental professionals remain the most trusted source of oral care product recommendations. Sixty-one percent of respondents identified dentists or dental hygienists as their most trusted source, compared with just 2% who selected social media influencers.
“What stands out isn’t that people don’t care about their oral health. Most clearly do,” said Xi Chen, Senior Director of Brand Marketing for TheraBreath™. “The challenge is translating good intentions into habits that fit real life. Patients are telling us they trust dental professionals to help them make sense of product choices, understand what’s most important, and build routines they can actually maintain over time.”
The findings also suggest that embarrassment surrounding oral health concerns may present a barrier to communication between patients and dental professionals. Nearly half of respondents (49%) reported feeling self-conscious at least occasionally in social or professional settings because of concerns such as halitosis, xerostomia, or visible oral conditions. Additionally, 21% indicated that they had avoided discussing an oral health concern with a dental professional because of embarrassment.
Regarding factors influencing continued use of oral care products, 40% of respondents identified effectiveness or results as the most important consideration, followed by cost or value (20%) and recommendations from dental professionals (18%). Additionally, 76% indicated that transparency regarding product ingredients and formulations was very or somewhat important when selecting oral care products.
Collectively, the survey findings underscore the importance of individualized patient education and practical oral hygiene recommendations. Dental professionals may help patients improve adherence by identifying gaps in existing routines, explaining the benefits of appropriate preventive measures, addressing sensitive concerns without judgment, and recommending products and practices that patients can realistically maintain.
Additional information about the survey and TheraBreath's clinical research and educational resources is available at hygienesquad.com/therabreath.
