How social media is shaping dental trends in America
In a recent study, over a third of Americans (34%) said that they turn to social media for oral health advice. Using platforms like TikTok and Instagram, millions now scroll through health and wellness content daily, seeking dental care tips that they can put into practice at home.
Hashtags like #Dentist (with over 2.4 billion views) and #Teethwhitening (featured in more than 300,000 posts) highlight just how widespread dental content has become. But while some of this content is created by professionals, many trending hacks lack credibility, leading to unsafe and unregulated dental practices.
With this in mind, we’ve done a deep dive into the world of social media dental trends, investigating the overall sentiment across various platforms. With the aim of educating audiences on the importance of safe, expert-backed oral care, we’ll also offer insights on avoiding social media dental traps.
How many people actively seek oral health advice on social media?
Our survey found that 34% of people are seeking oral health advice on social media. Digging deeper, we found that men are slightly more likely to turn to platforms like TikTok and Instagram for advice (37%) compared to around 31% of females.
The generational divide is even more striking. Among Gen Z (roughly those ages 18-24) 53% said that they use social media for dental advice, signaling that younger people are more comfortable in turning to online platforms.
Has social media made people more self-conscious about their smiles?
Social media seems to also be influencing how people feel about their smiles, with 41% admitting that it has made them feel self-conscious. This response was consistent across the board, with 41% of males and 41% of females agreeing.
The 25-34 age group is especially affected, with over half of people admitting that they’ve felt insecure about their teeth after consuming content online. With picture perfect smiles splashed across feeds, it’s no surprise that people are rushing into DIY treatments that promise impressive results.
States and cities with the most negative online sentiment
Online talk around dental trends certainly isn’t always positive, but which states and cities are expressing the most negative sentiment?
Well, Maryland leads the way, with 35.8% of people expressing negativity around dental topics. Close behind we have Wyoming (35.7%) and Louisiana (35.6%), with Idaho and Georgia rounding off the top five (35.0% and 34.7%).
When we narrow the focus down to cities, Baltimore comes in first place (39.6%), with Detroit in second (37.8%). Plenty of people are expressing negative sentiment in Ft. Worth (36.4%) as well as Louisville (36.3%) and Philadelphia, (35.8%).
States and cities with the most online dental conversations
While some states express dissatisfaction, others are simply more active when it comes to discussing dental care online. The District of Columbia tops the ranking for this, with a huge 350.81 dental-themed conversations per 10,000 residents. Nevada and Florida come in next, with 56.76 and 53.46 conversations, followed by New York (with a score of 50.55). Texas steals the final spot, with 50.12 dental conversations per 10,000.
When we dive into city data, Atlanta stands out, with a whopping 158.72 online conversations per 10,000 residents. Houston comes in second with 106.42, followed by Oklahoma City with 89.01. Rounding things off, we have New York (82.80), and Washington D.C (73.69).
Which social media platforms have the highest share of dental content?
Finally, let’s take a look at the social media platforms with the most dental content circulating. Twitter takes the top spot, with an impressive 13,193,085 dental-related mentions. Of these, 23% had a negative tone, while 45% expressed positive sentiments.
We found 1,418,068 conversations on Reddit, many of which were more critical (38% compared to 21% positive). The platform’s long-form content discussion boards leave plenty of room for dialogue to open up around dental trends, procedures, and costs.
Finally, we found just under half a million (469,682) mentions on YouTube, with more positive conversations featured (41%) than negative (29%).
The importance of avoiding social media dental traps
So, it’s clear that many people are searching for tips to improve their teeth online. However, the only guaranteed way to maintain a healthy, confident smile is by trusting expert-backed care:
“While social media can be a great tool for tips and advice, it’s important to remember that what’s trending isn’t always trustworthy. DIY treatments like at-home whitening can lead to issues such as enamel damage, gum irritation, and long-term sensitivity, so it’s important to stay wary.”
“It might seem convenient and cost-effective to try out a trending hack, but untested products and procedures can actually do more harm than good. Dental professionals, on the other hand, will consider your unique oral history, identifying issues and recommending treatments tailored to your needs. So, for the best possible results, seeking professional care is key.”
With social media shaping real-life dental decisions across the country, Dr. Elizabeth Walton at Risas Dental has pulled together some final insights on how you can spot harmful advice: “Be wary of anything trending on social media. If someone promises you, they have discovered a miracle cure for at home whitening, they really found a miracle way to get more "likes" and reposts. There is really no substitute for regular home care such as brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist. Following through on recommendations by your trusted dentist will ensure a healthy lifetime with a happy mouth!”
“If time could be spent doing regular home care, you wouldn't be needing a miracle cure! If you are having problems getting your kid to brush their teeth, don't spend a lot of money on new gadgets.
“Go see your pediatric dentist and learn how to modify the behavior instead. If you see something trending and wonder if it is a good idea, check and see what the ADA or AAPD think.
“In general, don't put anything in your mouth or on your teeth that is abrasive or not safe to swallow. If it not a product endorsed by the ADA, ask your dentist or physician before using it!” Well, there you have it: our insights on social media dental trends across America. While you may well find some expert-backed tips floating around online, it’s important to stay vigilant for content that’s going to harm rather than help your teeth.
The most important way to ensure you maintain a healthy smile is by scheduling regular checkups. From cleanings to extractions and exams, we offer a variety of services plus personalized, expert oral health guidance here at Risas Dental. Find a location near you and make an appointment today.
