The oldest millennials are just shy of 40 years old. With age does not always come wisdom, however. According to a recent study of 2,000 Americans, 3 in 10 millennials only brush their teeth once a day. The average millennial surveyed sometimes goes more than two days without brushing at least once. Gross? Absolutely. Dangerous? Without a doubt. If these trends continue, serious smile makeovers and even full-mouth reconstruction are in millennials’ futures.
The Bad Oral Health Habits of Millennials
It’s safe to say that millennials, who are often coined as the generation that just doesn’t want to grow up, aren’t helping their reputation by being lazy about brushing and flossing. The survey conducted by Hello Products, an oral care company, found that millennials also make excuses about seeing the dentist regularly (56%).
These bad habits mean 20-somethings and 30-somethings are setting themselves up for a range of dental problems, including:
- Tooth decay: You can’t make up for skipping the home oral health care just because you see the dentist every six months or so. Both efforts are critical to maintaining good oral health. Skimping on both, logically, means tooth decay has room to play. Without attention, decay can lead to serious cavities, infections, abscesses, and, potentially, tooth extraction.
- Gum disease: Careful, regular oral health care is so important. Eventually, the bacteria, plaque, and tartar that build up on teeth will start finding a way into the teeth and the roots. When the gums and teeth are terribly infected with periodontal disease, teeth will become loose and may fall out.
- Stains and discoloration: Millennials live in a Starbucks world. Sip enough coffee, iced mochas, and whatever other brewed beverages you like, tooth enamel will suck up the color and turn brown, yellow, and just plain discolored and unsightly.
Things Millennials Love About Cosmetic Dentistry
For millennials who do maintain good oral health, they may be looking for something to boost their social cred, their Insta selfies, their online dating photos, or their self-esteem. Cosmetic dentistry is behind the most amazing smile makeovers. Here are just some of the things the millennial generation loves:
- Customization: You don’t get more original than completely customized porcelain veneers. From color to size to shape, veneers are unique to every dental patient who opts to get them and works with a talented NYC cosmetic dentist to create their smile makeover.
- Digital options: Digital smile design speaks to millennials by offering the major perk of seeing your investment before you buy it. The smartphone generation is in love with digital imagery and responds to visual proof that their smile makeover will be excellent.
- Technology: Whatever oral health help a millennial needs, modern dentistry and state-of-the-art technology mean every procedure is that much better, easier, more efficient, and longer-lasting than the dentistry of the previous generation.
- Sedation: Sixty-two percent of American adults are too afraid to visit the dentist, and millennials are more afraid than any other age group. Whether a patient is worried about pain during or after treatment, the noise of the dental drill, their gag reflex, a repeat of a negative past dental experience, or that anesthetic won’t work, oral sedation helps create a feeling of calm and makes any dental visit more comfortable.
It’s Never Too Late for Good Oral Health
No matter what age you are, it is always a good time to take care of your teeth. Even if you’re embarrassed by the condition of your teeth, remember that neglecting to act just allows the problems to grow bigger. No tooth decay, tooth pain, or other oral health problems will go away on their own, but your Manhattan dentist can make all your tooth and gum woes disappear so you can have a perfect smile.
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Michael J. Wei at his dental office on Madison Avenue to talk about your oral health needs.”>
The oldest millennials are just shy of 40 years old. With age does not always come wisdom, however. According to a recent study of 2,000 Americans, 3 in 10 millennials only brush their teeth once a day. The average millennial surveyed sometimes goes more than two days without brushing at least once. Gross? Absolutely. Dangerous? Without a doubt. If these trends continue, serious smile makeovers and even full-mouth reconstruction are in millennials’ futures.
The Bad Oral Health Habits of Millennials
It’s safe to say that millennials, who are often coined as the generation that just doesn’t want to grow up, aren’t helping their reputation by being lazy about brushing and flossing. The survey conducted by Hello Products, an oral care company, found that millennials also make excuses about seeing the dentist regularly (56%).
These bad habits mean 20-somethings and 30-somethings are setting themselves up for a range of dental problems, including:
- Tooth decay: You can’t make up for skipping the home oral health care just because you see the dentist every six months or so. Both efforts are critical to maintaining good oral health. Skimping on both, logically, means tooth decay has room to play. Without attention, decay can lead to serious cavities, infections, abscesses, and, potentially, tooth extraction.
- Gum disease: Careful, regular oral health care is so important. Eventually, the bacteria, plaque, and tartar that build up on teeth will start finding a way into the teeth and the roots. When the gums and teeth are terribly infected with periodontal disease, teeth will become loose and may fall out.
- Stains and discoloration: Millennials live in a Starbucks world. Sip enough coffee, iced mochas, and whatever other brewed beverages you like, tooth enamel will suck up the color and turn brown, yellow, and just plain discolored and unsightly.
Things Millennials Love About Cosmetic Dentistry
For millennials who do maintain good oral health, they may be looking for something to boost their social cred, their Insta selfies, their online dating photos, or their self-esteem. Cosmetic dentistry is behind the most amazing smile makeovers. Here are just some of the things the millennial generation loves:
- Customization: You don’t get more original than completely customized porcelain veneers. From color to size to shape, veneers are unique to every dental patient who opts to get them and works with a talented NYC cosmetic dentist to create their smile makeover.
- Digital options: Digital smile design speaks to millennials by offering the major perk of seeing your investment before you buy it. The smartphone generation is in love with digital imagery and responds to visual proof that their smile makeover will be excellent.
- Technology: Whatever oral health help a millennial needs, modern dentistry and state-of-the-art technology mean every procedure is that much better, easier, more efficient, and longer-lasting than the dentistry of the previous generation.
- Sedation: Sixty-two percent of American adults are too afraid to visit the dentist, and millennials are more afraid than any other age group. Whether a patient is worried about pain during or after treatment, the noise of the dental drill, their gag reflex, a repeat of a negative past dental experience, or that anesthetic won’t work, oral sedation helps create a feeling of calm and makes any dental visit more comfortable.
It’s Never Too Late for Good Oral Health
No matter what age you are, it is always a good time to take care of your teeth. Even if you’re embarrassed by the condition of your teeth, remember that neglecting to act just allows the problems to grow bigger. No tooth decay, tooth pain, or other oral health problems will go away on their own, but your Manhattan dentist can make all your tooth and gum woes disappear so you can have a perfect smile.
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Michael J. Wei at his dental office on Madison Avenue to talk about your oral health needs.
