Americans are prioritizing their teeth over other health concerns

Americans worry more about their teeth than any other part of their appearance, according to new research.

A study examining the health approaches and priorities of 2,000 Americans saw teeth voted as the part of their appearance people worry about most, followed by hair, weight and skin concerns.

The results showed that Americans are also prioritizing oral health above other key health-related initiatives.

The new study, conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Pronamel, interestingly found Americans quicker to rate oral health (83%) above mental health (78%), exercise (74%) and diet (71%) when it comes to their current health-related priorities.

While the data shows that Americans are taking the time to focus significantly on their oral health, simultaneously tooth appearance is ranked as the number one source of embarrassment (45%), followed by weight (41%) and hair (30%).

The study found that worrying over an overall unhealthy tooth appearance, including yellowing teeth, was one of the most likely factors causing people to be less than impressed with their smile.

This is surprising given that Americans are much more likely to be proactive with their oral health than other areas — for example, more people are brushing their teeth twice a day (64%) than they are stretching before/after a workout (49%), applying sunscreen (34%) or meditating (30%).

So why are Americans embarrassed by their teeth when they’re prioritizing oral health and taking steps above other wellness initiatives to keep their teeth clean? Based on the survey results, it could be because almost 40% don’t know the true function of one of the most important parts of oral health — repairing and maintaining enamel.

“Teeth can sometimes be an overlooked part of our self-care regimen. Many times, just daily brushing and regular dentist visits feel like enough. However, eating healthy foods such as green juices, grapefruits, and other acidic foods can do a number on a tooth’s enamel” says, Chris Concerto, Senior Brand Manager from Pronamel.

Everyday acidic foods and drinks, like wine, green juices, citrus, many salad dressings and more cause erosion of tooth enamel over time leading to yellowing of the teeth — something only half of Americans surveyed are aware of.

Concerto added, “Instead of cutting out these delicious (and sometimes necessary) foods to prevent further enamel damage, simply taking steps like switching your toothpaste can help repair and protect your enamel without upending your life. Products like Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair are specifically designed to repair acid-weakened enamel while also helping to protect against future acid erosion, leading to healthier, stronger teeth.”