Gen Z and millennials are vulnerable to online dental misinformation, new U.S. endodontics survey finds
Dental misinformation online is fueling fear and confusion among Gen Z and millennial patients, leading many to avoid preventive care and delay necessary treatment, according to a new U.S. survey commissioned by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE).
The nationally representative survey, conducted by Atomik Research, revealed that nearly half of Gen Z (48%) and millennial (46%) adults are afraid of root canals—a significantly higher percentage than the general adult population (38%). Experts attribute this fear largely to inaccurate or misleading dental health information on social media and digital platforms.
“We are concerned that fear and misinformation is contributing to younger adults avoiding the dental chair,” said Dr. Steven J. Katz, president of the AAE. “People who do not get routine dental care are at risk for serious tooth decay, which can lead to overall health issues.”
Confusion between fact and fiction
Many younger adults admit they have difficulty separating myths from facts when researching oral health online:
- 40% of Gen Z and 36% of millennials said they often or always struggle to tell credible dental information from misinformation.
- Nearly 1 in 4 adults (23%) rely on Google searches for oral health decisions, despite 85% stating they trust licensed dental professionals.
This aligns with findings from the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, which reported that 45% of adults aged 18 to 34 said their health decisions were influenced by non-expert voices such as influencers and content creators. Alarmingly, 58% of these respondents admitted to making a regrettable health decision based on misinformation.
Dental trauma, food risks often misunderstood
The survey also revealed widespread misconceptions about dental injuries and diet-related risks:
- While 85% recognized the dangers of hard candy, only 44% identified popcorn, and 37% saw nuts as a risk.
- Nearly half (49%) said they had chipped a tooth on hard food.
- Tooth trauma remains common, especially among children, with over five million teeth knocked out annually across the U.S.
The case for root canals over extractions
Despite public fear, root canals remain a preferred solution for saving natural teeth:
- 45% of U.S. adults have had a root canal.
- 71% of those were glad they chose root canal treatment over extraction.
- 29% said they would rather have the flu than lose a tooth through extraction.
The takeaway: trust licensed professionals, not trends
The AAE survey underscores a critical point: while digital platforms offer convenience, they also expose users to potentially dangerous dental myths. Dental professionals recommend:
- Regular preventive visits—not just pain-driven appointments.
- Seeking oral health advice from qualified dentists or endodontists.
- Verifying information before acting on advice seen on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram.
For Gen Z and millennials especially, developing digital health literacy is essential to avoid long-term dental complications.
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