New Survey from P&G and American Academy of Family Physicians Reveals 76% of Americans Say They Care About Their Oral Health, But When Polled, Only 3% of Americans Associate Oral Health with Whole Body Health

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Research uncovers strong dental and healthcare education opportunity, with 80% of Americans saying oral care would feel more important if they understood its impact on overall health CINCINNATI, June 11, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--P&G, the maker of Crest and Oral-B, and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) are teaming up to help Americans better understand the connection between oral health and overall health – and the simple daily habits that can support better health outcomes. A national survey of more than 2,000 Americans*, conducted by Ipsos in partnership with P&G and supported by the AAFP, found that while 76% of Americans say they are motivated to take care of their oral health, only 3% of Americans associate oral health with whole-body health when polled. The findings highlight that nearly half of Americans (44%) say they have never heard of the connection between oral health and cardiovascular disease, with awareness dropping even further for other conditions including diabetes (55%), respiratory disease (68%), pregnancy complications (67%), and Alzheimer’s disease (77%). When left untreated, clinical evidence shows plaque bacteria and inflammation can progress beyond the mouth, reinforcing the important connection between oral health and overall wellbeing. "Americans clearly care about oral health, but many still don’t fully understand how closely it’s connected to overall wellbeing," said Stephanie Gans, DDS, Senior Scientist and Professional & Scientific Relations Manager for Crest + Oral-B. "At the same time, the survey findings show a real opportunity: 80% of Americans say oral care would feel more important if they better understood its impact on overall health, and 92% say proof would motivate them to improve their routine. We’re helping people understand that simple, everyday habits can play an important role in supporting long-term health." Key findings from the national survey include: AWARENESS GAP: Americans Don’t Fully Understand the Mouth-Body Connection REALITY CHECK: Oral Care Is Often One of the First Healthy Habits to Slip "The mouth is one of the earliest and most accessible indicators of overall health," said Dr. Sukirth Ganesan, DDS, PhD, MPH and Director of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontics at the Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics. "We can catch i...

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