According to Gram Research analysis, about 22% of Instagram posts about tooth decay contain false or misleading information, mostly shared by regular users discussing cavity treatment. Surprisingly, these inaccurate posts receive more likes and comments than accurate ones, but posts from verified dentists and health professionals get even higher engagement while remaining accurate. This suggests that if dental professionals were more active on Instagram, they could effectively counter misinformation with reliable content.
A new study looked at 500 Instagram posts about tooth decay written in Portuguese and found that about 1 in 5 posts contained false or misleading information. Researchers discovered that regular people—not just dentists—were sharing the most misinformation, especially about how to treat cavities. Surprisingly, posts with false information actually got more likes and comments than accurate posts. However, when dentists and health professionals shared information, their posts got even more engagement and were usually accurate. This research shows that while false dental advice spreads online, trusted health experts can combat it by sharing reliable information on social media.
Key Statistics
A 2026 analysis of 500 Instagram posts in Portuguese found that 21.8% contained misinformation about dental caries, primarily from regular users discussing cavity treatment rather than from dentists or health professionals.
According to a 2026 study of Instagram dental content, posts containing misinformation about tooth decay received significantly higher median engagement (likes and comments) compared to accurate posts, though posts from verified health professionals showed even greater engagement.
Research reviewed by Gram analyzing 500 Portuguese-language Instagram posts found that false information about cavities focused on treatment, diet, and oral hygiene, while accurate posts emphasized prevention and proper treatment methods.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How often false information about tooth decay appears on Instagram and what makes people share and engage with it
- Who participated: 500 Instagram posts about dental caries (cavities) posted in Portuguese between August 2018 and August 2022, created by various users including regular people, businesses, and health professionals
- Key finding: About 22% of posts contained false or misleading information about cavities, and these misleading posts actually received more likes and comments than accurate posts
- What it means for you: When you see dental advice on Instagram, be cautious—check if it comes from a verified dentist or health professional. Regular users often share incorrect cavity treatment advice, so it’s worth double-checking important health information with a real dentist before following it
The Research Details
Researchers examined 500 Instagram posts about tooth decay published over a four-year period. Two independent reviewers carefully read each post and checked whether the information was accurate or false. They looked at who posted it (regular person, business, or health professional), what the post was trying to do (educate, sell something, or entertain), and how many likes and comments it received.
The team used special software called CrowdTangle to find the posts and QDA Miner to identify common topics discussed. They then used statistical tests to see if there were patterns—for example, did posts from dentists get more engagement than posts from regular people? Did false information spread differently than true information?
This approach allowed researchers to understand not just what misinformation exists, but also why it spreads and who is sharing it.
Social media is where millions of people get health information every day. Understanding what false information spreads and why helps us protect ourselves from bad advice. This study specifically looked at Portuguese-language posts, which is important because most dental research focuses on English-language content. By studying actual Instagram posts, researchers could see real-world patterns in how health misinformation spreads online.
This study has several strengths: two independent reviewers checked the posts to reduce bias, the sample size was large (500 posts), and it covered a long time period (4 years). However, the study only looked at Portuguese-language posts on Instagram, so the findings may not apply to other languages or social media platforms. The researchers didn’t explain exactly how they defined ‘misinformation,’ which could affect how we interpret the results. Additionally, the study is observational, meaning it shows what happened but can’t prove that misinformation directly causes higher engagement.
What the Results Show
The research found that 21.8% of the 500 Instagram posts analyzed contained misinformation about tooth decay. This false information came mostly from regular Instagram users rather than dentists or health professionals. The posts with false information focused heavily on cavity treatment, diet, bacteria, and oral hygiene habits.
Interestingly, posts containing misinformation actually received significantly more likes, comments, and shares than posts with accurate information. This suggests that false information spreads more easily on social media than correct information—a pattern researchers have noticed with other health topics too.
However, when dentists and health professionals posted information, their posts received even more engagement than the misinformation posts. These professional posts were almost always accurate. This suggests that if health experts were more active on Instagram, they could potentially drown out the false information with reliable content that people want to engage with.
The study found important differences in what accurate versus inaccurate posts discussed. False posts mostly talked about treating cavities, what you should eat, bacteria in your mouth, and how to brush your teeth. Accurate posts focused more on preventing cavities, treating them correctly, and maintaining good oral hygiene. Posts from businesses and health professionals showed higher engagement scores overall, and these posts tended to be accurate. Posts motivated by money (trying to sell something) were less common in cavity treatment discussions but more common in posts about preventive products.
This finding aligns with what researchers have discovered about health misinformation on other social media platforms—false information often spreads faster and gets more engagement than accurate information. However, this study adds an important insight: when trusted experts (like dentists) are active on social media, they can actually outperform misinformation in terms of engagement. Previous research on dental health online has mostly focused on websites and forums, so this Instagram-specific study provides new understanding of how dental misinformation spreads on visual social media platforms.
This study only examined Portuguese-language posts on Instagram, so the results may not apply to other languages, countries, or social media platforms like TikTok or Facebook. The researchers analyzed posts from 2018-2022, so newer trends may have changed. The study couldn’t determine whether people actually believed or acted on the false information—it only measured likes and comments. Additionally, the study didn’t track whether the same false information appeared multiple times, so it’s unclear if a few viral posts were responsible for most of the misinformation spread. Finally, the definition of what counts as ‘misinformation’ wasn’t fully detailed, which could affect how we interpret the results.
The Bottom Line
If you see dental advice on Instagram, check whether it comes from a verified dentist or health professional (look for the blue checkmark). Be especially skeptical of posts about cavity treatment from regular users. When in doubt, ask your own dentist rather than relying on social media. Follow dental accounts from actual dentists and health organizations, as their posts tend to be accurate and get good engagement. (Confidence level: High—this is based on clear patterns in the data)
Anyone who uses Instagram and reads health posts should care about this research. Parents should especially pay attention, as they may see dental advice and apply it to their children’s care. People without regular access to dentists who rely on social media for health information should be extra cautious. Dentists and health professionals should also care about this research, as it shows they can effectively combat misinformation by being more active on Instagram with accurate content.
You won’t see immediate changes from this research, but it suggests a longer-term strategy: as more dentists and health professionals become active on Instagram with accurate information, the proportion of misinformation should decrease over time. If you start following verified dental professionals instead of regular users for cavity advice, you should notice more reliable information in your feed within weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much false information about cavities is on Instagram?
About 22% of Instagram posts about tooth decay contain false or misleading information, according to a 2026 analysis of 500 Portuguese-language posts. Most misinformation comes from regular users rather than dentists.
Do people engage more with false dental advice on social media?
Yes, posts with false cavity information receive significantly more likes and comments than accurate posts. However, posts from verified dentists and health professionals get even higher engagement while providing correct information.
What false information about cavities spreads most on Instagram?
Misinformation primarily focuses on cavity treatment methods, diet recommendations, bacteria claims, and oral hygiene practices. Accurate posts instead emphasize prevention, proper treatment, and good hygiene habits.
How can I find reliable dental information on Instagram?
Follow verified dentists and health professionals (look for the blue checkmark). A 2026 study found that posts from these professionals receive high engagement and are almost always accurate, making them better sources than regular users.
Are dentists active enough on Instagram to counter false information?
The research suggests dentists could be more active. When health professionals do post, their content gets more engagement than misinformation while remaining accurate, indicating they have potential to combat false dental advice online.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track the source of dental health information you encounter: note whether posts come from verified dentists, health professionals, regular users, or businesses. Over two weeks, count how many posts you see from each category and rate their accuracy based on what your dentist tells you.
- When you see dental health advice on Instagram, pause before sharing or following it. Instead, use the app to search for verified dentist accounts and follow 3-5 of them. When you have a dental question, check those verified accounts first before trusting advice from regular users.
- Set a monthly reminder to review which dental accounts you follow and whether their information aligns with what your dentist recommends. If you notice you’re seeing more misinformation in your feed, actively follow more verified health professionals to improve the quality of information you encounter.
This research analyzes misinformation patterns on social media but does not provide medical advice. For questions about your teeth, cavities, or oral health, consult a licensed dentist or dental professional. Do not rely on social media posts—even accurate ones—as a substitute for professional dental care. If you have tooth pain or suspect a cavity, seek professional evaluation promptly.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.