Greatful Moments received this information from Delta Dental Plans Association in recognition of National Dental Hygiene Month, highlighting findings from its 2026 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report.
Now I’m going to be honest with y’all.
When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush?
Not when you think you replaced it. Not when you bought a new package and stuck it under the bathroom sink.
When did you actually take that old toothbrush out and put a new one in?
Because according to Delta Dental’s new report, only 55% of adults replace their toothbrush every three months as recommended.
And apparently, forgetting is a pretty big part of the problem.
We Brush. We Floss. But We Forget the Toothbrush.
The good news is that most adults are doing some of the basics right.
According to the report, 72% of adults say they brush twice a day, and 73% say they floss daily.
That’s pretty good.
But then there’s that toothbrush sitting there getting older and older.
Among the people who don’t replace their toothbrush on schedule, 46% say they simply forget. Another 42% wait until the bristles look worn, while 30% don’t buy a replacement when they’re doing their regular shopping.
And I’m thinking this is one of those things that probably happens in a lot of homes.
You remember toothpaste.
You remember toilet paper.
You remember shampoo.
But the toothbrush?
Well…it’s still sitting there.
Apparently the Younger Generation Is Doing Something Right
One thing I found interesting in the report was the difference between generations.
In 2026, 78% of Gen Z and 74% of Millennials reported brushing twice a day.
That compares with 69% of Gen X and Baby Boomers.
So apparently some of the younger folks are giving us something to think about when it comes to brushing discipline.
And I’m okay with that.
I’ll give them credit where credit is due.
Kids Are Improving Too
The report also looked at children’s oral hygiene habits, and this was encouraging.
Parents reported that 75% of children brush twice a day, compared with 67% in 2025.
And 64% of children reportedly floss daily, up from 50% the year before.
That’s a pretty big jump.
As parents, we spend a lot of time reminding kids to brush their teeth.
Brush your teeth.
Did you brush?
Go brush your teeth.
Did you REALLY brush your teeth?
You know how it goes.
So seeing those numbers improve is good news.
And Don’t Forget the Dentist
The report also found that preventive dental visits are increasing.
Among adults who visited a dentist in 2025, 89% went for preventive care, up from 84% in 2024.
And 90% of adults said preventive dental exams are just as important as an annual physical.
I think that’s an important reminder because sometimes we don’t think about going to the dentist until something hurts.
But prevention is a whole lot better than waiting until you’re sitting in the dental chair wishing you had gone sooner.
So When Did You Replace Yours?
I’m not saying you need to run out and buy a new toothbrush this very second.
But maybe look at the one sitting beside your sink.
Does it look like you’ve been using it forever?
Are the bristles worn?
Can you honestly remember when you replaced it?
If the answer is no, maybe it’s time.
And if you’re like me and you’re likely to forget again three months from now, put it on your calendar.
Because apparently “I’ll remember” isn’t working for 45% of us.
National Dental Hygiene Month seems like a pretty good time to get back to the basics.
Brush.
Floss.
See your dentist.
And every few months, replace that toothbrush.
Sometimes taking care of ourselves isn’t about making some huge lifestyle change.
Sometimes it’s just remembering the little things.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
About the Report
Delta Dental Plans Association commissioned Material Holdings, LLC, to conduct the research behind the 2026 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report. The research was conducted January 5–15, 2026, using online surveys of 1,000 U.S. adults and 1,000 parents of children age 12 and under. The reported margin of error is +/- 3%.
Delta Dental Plans Association is the national association of 39 independent Delta Dental companies.
For the complete report and additional information, visit Delta Dental.
