Survey reveals key insights into attitudes and awareness of oral health among baby boomer generation

Dreamstime.com According to a recent survey conducted by Crest® and Oral-B® Pro-Health® For Life™ and AARP, dental health ranks in the top three medical concerns among the 50-plus population. A full three-quarter of respondents (75%) said, “Compared to my overall health concerns, my dental and oral health care is very important.” This finding is part of the Pro-Health For Life and AARP survey, conducted in a joint effort to better understand the attitudes of the 50-plus population regarding oral health, and to help identify opportunities to educate and raise awareness of the importance of oral care.RELATED | The status of baby boomers' health in the United States: the healthiest generation? The survey found that older adults are concerned with their oral health and aware of the importance of maintaining it, with 74% of the respondents indicating that they visited a dentist or dental professional for treatment at least two times per year. Additionally, the survey found that this group also recognizes that aging may affect their oral health, and as a preventive measure they are incorporating healthy habits, such as visiting their dentist regularly. In fact, 78% of those surveyed responded that they visit a dentist or dental professional for treatment the same or more vs. 10 years ago. RELATED |The changing face of dentistry Despite their awareness and pro-active health measures, for many older adults there are still areas of improvement. While many believe they are doing everything right to protect their smiles, they do not realize the importance of maintaining a full oral care routine. The survey found that:• 60% do not use mouthwash daily • 47% do not floss daily • 34% only brush once a day These findings indicate there are opportunities to help educate and improve the oral health of this age group. “As adults age, it is critical that they continue to maintain a rigorous oral hygiene regimen,” says Ann Ross, RDH, Mobile Dentistry of Arizona. “This should include regular professional dental cleanings and using products that address their oral health needs.” The concept for the survey began in September when Crest and Oral-B Pro-Health celebrated Healthy Aging® (1) month at the AARP Life@50+ National Event & Expo in New Orleans, LA.ABOUT THE SURVEY The survey conducted by AARP included 25 oral care related questions that were administered to the AARP Media Sales Consumer Panel members between the ages of 48 and 66 and 67 and over. The two groups were identified as Boomer (48-66) and Mature (67+), with a total of 503 respondents.ABOUT CREST A trusted leader in oral health, Crest was the first oral care brand to secure the ADA Seal of Acceptance for a clinically proven fluoride toothpaste. Crest is a brand that has continually pushed to improve oral health since its inception in 1955.ABOUT PROCTER & GAMBLE P&G serves approximately 4.6 billion people around the world with its brands. The Company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, Ambi Pur®, SK-II®, and Vicks®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 75 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.ABOUT AARP AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as health care, employment security, and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org. 1. Healthy Aging http://healthyaging.net/events.htm SOURCE: BUSINESS WIRE