Think about your favorite horror movie. Or if it’s not a genre you enjoy, maybe there’s a scary movie you at least remember well. Was it so impactful because the premise of the movie could potentially happen to you?
That’s what gives some weight to many of the troubling statistics about oral health in America. If you don’t take good care of your teeth and gums, you could potentially become a statistic.
Nobody wants to go down that path, so it’s important to make smart decisions while you can still control your future. Read on to uncover some scary oral health stats and get some helpful tips.
Worrisome Dental Health Stats in America
- More than 17% of children haven’t visited their dentist in the past year
- Only 65% of adults have visited their dentist in the past year
- Cost is the main reason adults with an oral health issue don’t go to the dentist
- About 45 million adults don’t have dental insurance coverage
- 13% of children have untreated cavities
- 26% of adults have untreated cavities
- 25% of adults have lost all their teeth
- Over 47% of adults have some form of periodontal disease
How Can I Take Good Care of My Teeth?
The best way to ensure that you don’t become a statistic in the previous section is to be diligent about making smart decisions for your teeth and gums. If you already are having oral health issues, perhaps you want to make a positive change. Here are some ways to protect yourself:
- Don’t eat sticky or dark foods like toffee, red sauces, pastries, dried fruits, and cakes. They stain teeth, promote bacteria growth, or both.
- Don’t smoke. It causes bad breath and stains teeth.
- Eat meat for the health benefits of magnesium and phosphorous or find effective supplements for these nutrients if meat isn’t on your menu.
- Rinse your mouth with water after each meal and rinse with mouthwash daily along with brushing and flossing.
- Try to have a balanced diet. In addition to magnesium and phosphorous, make sure you are getting enough vitamin D, fluoride, and calcium.
- Don’t drink soda. Dark cola can stain your teeth and the acid in soda is hard on your enamel.
- Floss nightly as part of your oral care routine before bedtime.
- Brush your teeth each morning and evening right before bedtime.
- Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride-rich toothpaste. Don’t brush for more than two minutes at a time or apply too much pressure.
With a concerted effort each day to make wise choices, you can help ensure that you don’t end up as part of a troubling oral health statistic. For more ideas on ways to keep your teeth and gums in stellar standing, be sure to ask your dentist during your next appointment.
About the Practice
At Salmon Brook Dental, know that you’re going to receive personalized services and high-quality care. We won’t push you into getting unnecessary procedures and we’re going to be transparent with you about our treatment. We are open late and on Saturdays to fit your busy schedule, we can serve patients of all ages, and we welcome dental insurance. Our dentists are more than capable of solving your oral health problems, but they prefer to help you avoid issues in the first place. To schedule your next dental cleaning and exam, visit our website or call (860) 653-4551.