Free Pexels Image
A new survey of U.S. parents reveals surprising brushing battles, sugary habits, and the rising cost of the Tooth Fairy.
The latest Risas Kids Dental survey has discovered what’s really going on in America’s bathrooms.
Parents may think they’re winning the nightly brushing battle but the data says otherwise.
- 51% of kids admit to finding ways to skip brushing, from “pretending to brush” (25%) to skipping toothpaste entirely (13%).
- Nearly half (47%) brush for only a few seconds, well below dentist recommendations.
And for larger families, the struggle only grows: while most parents with one or two children feel confident in their household’s brushing habits (86-88%), that number plunges to just 76% among parents of four or more proof that even the best-intentioned routines are tough to keep on track.
The findings reveal broader social and emotional impacts, too:
- 26% of children have been teased about their teeth, with bullying rates highest in two-child families (33%).
- 16% have missed school, and 17% have skipped meals due to dental pain or embarrassment.