More than half of Americans say the COVID-19 pandemic has caused them to put off routine dental check-ups, according to a survey commissioned by the American Association of Endodontists.
Market research company Atomik Research conducted an online survey of 1,003 American adults between Nov. 6 and Nov. 10. The makeup of the sample is statistically representative of the U.S. population.
Six survey findings:
1. Thirty-one percent of respondents said they were snacking more on sweets.
2. Twenty-eight percent of respondents didn't schedule or forgot to schedule a dental visit.
3. Twenty-five percent of respondents said they waited until later in the morning to brush their teeth, while 21 percent didn't brush in the morning at all.
4. Twenty-four percent of Americans surveyed said they were flossing less frequently.
5. Millennials more frequently reported dental disruptions, with 43 percent saying working from home or attending virtual classes disrupted their usual dental hygiene habits.
6. Even amid the pandemic, 60 percent of respondents said experiencing lasting tooth pain would lead them to make a dental appointment.