For the past couple of years sporadic, dull aches have alerted Georgia Smith to the wisdom teeth slowly rearing in her gums.
Despite the pain and discomfort, the 26-year-old has avoided the dentist for two years.
The Melbourne woman is among three in five Australians who say they've suffered wisdom-tooth-related issues, according to national research.
Three quarters of the 25,000 Australians surveyed in the Australian Dental Association's 2025 consumer survey said they faced barriers to accessing dental care, which could be forcing them to delay or avoid dental care.
"Unfortunately, many are delaying dental visits until something goes wrong, and by then the problem is often more painful, more complex, and more expensive to treat," association vice president Angie Nilsson said.
The survey found cost was the biggest obstacle to regular dental care for young adults, but a lack of free time and reduced access to support were also factors.
"They've just left school, they've moved out at home, they've come off their parents' private health insurance and they're managing everything in life and being an adult for the first time," association board director Andrew Gikas told AAP.
Cost pressures outlined in the survey support a decades-long push to improve affordability of dental care by adding dental to Medicare.
The average cost of a dental check-up and clean in Australia last year was just below $240 last year, according to Cleanbill's 2025 National Dental Listings Report.
The association says social media is driving a surge in cosmetic dental procedures.
Like 60 per cent of young Australians surveyed, Ms Smith said seeing social media influencers have cosmetic dental work done drove her to seek improvements to her own smile.
"Because of socials, so many young people are now almost hyper-focused on their appearance," she said.
"Social media is already a really competitive space and people are constantly looking at others and being like 'oh what can I improve upon in my own life?'."
Ms Smith said she spent hours researching cosmetic dental procedures, including veneers and composite bonding, and has had her teeth filed to improve their aesthetic shape.
"I'm definitely less inclined to go to the dentist if it's health related," she said.
Dr Nilsson urged young Australians to prioritise preventative oral healthcare and seek professional dental advice before undergoing cosmetic treatments or purchasing products promoted online.
"We're seeing increased interest in whitening, veneers, direct to consumer aligners and cosmetic trends driven by social media," she said.
"But dental treatment is healthcare, not fashion. Poorly informed decisions can permanently impact teeth and gums."
