When a young adult goes to college or university, their daily habits and lifestyle often change dramatically. Without the structure of home, many students take on new responsibilities like managing their own meals, sleep schedules, and health routines — often for the first time.
Late-night studying, irregular meals, increased caffeine or sugar intake, and stress from academic pressure can lead to skipped brushing, less sleep, and poor food choices.
These shifts, combined with limited time and tight budgets, can negatively impact both general and dental health if students don’t make a conscious effort to maintain good habits.
Oral health is something many college and university students don’t think much about. But this age group — especially students between 18 and 25 — faces unique risks when it comes to dental problems.
Studies can help us understand the factors that lead to issues like tooth decay and gum problems in this stage of life.
These risks are also relevant to students here in Ontario, including those at schools like the University of Toronto, McMaster University, and others across the province.
Dental Problems Are More Common than you think in University Students
A study found that 27.7% of university students had toothaches in the past year. Around 39% had at least one cavity, and over 20% didn’t brush their teeth at least twice a day. Even more surprising, almost 31% had never visited a dentist or weren’t sure if they had.
These numbers show that young adults in university are not taking care of their teeth the way they should.
A mix of reasons could be behind this: tight student budgets, busy schedules, and simply not realizing how important regular dental care is. For example, many students at the University of Toronto or McMaster University may skip their dental cleanings during exams or put off dental checkups due to cost or time constraints.
How Stress and Saliva Affect Dental Health
In another study from Mexico, researchers looked at dental students aged 18 to 22 and found a strong connection between academic stress and dental cavities. Students with moderate to high stress were 4.5 times more likely to get new cavities than students with low stress levels.
Why does stress cause dental problems? When we’re stressed, our bodies release hormones that can reduce the amount of saliva we produce. Saliva plays a major role in protecting teeth — it washes away food, neutralizes acids, and helps repair early tooth damage. The study found that students who had low saliva flow (less than 1 ml per minute) were nearly twice as likely to get cavities.
Although the researchers also looked at saliva’s ability to fight oxidation (a way to measure how protective the saliva is), that part wasn’t found to be a strong factor in predicting dental issues.
Student Stress and Changes in Habits
University life is stressful. Exams, long hours of studying, and balancing school with part-time jobs or social life can wear students down. The study showed that when stress levels went up — like during midterms or finals — students’ oral health got worse.
Many students at McMaster, for example, may find themselves pulling all-nighters, drinking lots of coffee or sugary drinks, and skipping meals or brushing. These changes can all increase the risk of getting cavities. Some students may also smoke, snack more, or forget to floss — all habits that add to the problem.
Stress also affects the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections, including those in the mouth.
Gender and Age Differences
Interestingly, the studies showed different trends when it came to gender. In one study, male students aged 20–21 were more likely to skip brushing and dental visits. But in another study, women were more likely to develop cavities than men. This could be related to hormonal changes or diet habits.
Age also made a difference. Younger students (around age 18) were more likely to get cavities than older students. This could be because they’re still adjusting to university life and haven’t developed strong health routines yet.
What Schools and Students Can Do
These findings show that universities — including those in Canada — need to do more to support students’ oral health. That means offering dental education, low-cost dental checkups, and resources to help students manage stress.
Some ideas for improving student dental health include:
- Hosting free dental screening days on campus
- Including oral health tips during student orientation
- Offering workshops on stress management
- Providing healthy snack options in campus cafés
- Promoting dental coverage and how to use it (many U of T and McMaster students have student insurance that covers basic dental care)
Students may not be aware of student dental coverage
Many university students are unaware that their school fees often include dental insurance as part of a student health plan. Because of this, they may skip regular cleanings or delay necessary dental treatments, thinking they can’t afford it. Without knowing what’s covered or how to access these benefits, students miss out on preventative care that could save them pain and money in the long run.
It’s also helpful to let students know when and where they can get dental care — and encourage regular cleanings and checkups even during exam season.
Final Thoughts
Students between the ages of 18 and 25 are at a higher risk for dental problems due to stress, busy lifestyles, and changes in habits. These years are important for building good routines — not just for grades, but for long-term health.
By paying more attention to dental care and finding ways to manage stress, students at universities like U of T, McMaster, and others can protect their teeth and improve their overall well-being.
At Thorncrest Dental, we understand the unique challenges students face when it comes to maintaining their oral health. Whether you’re balancing classes, exams, or a busy campus life, our team is here to support you with personalized, stress-free dental care.
We encourage all students to take advantage of their dental coverage and make routine checkups a priority. If you’re unsure about your benefits or haven’t been to the dentist in Etobicoke in a while, reach out — we’re happy to help you stay on track with your dental health during your university years and beyond.
