How healthy are your teeth? Your mouth is one of the most sensitive parts of your body, easily susceptible to bacteria and disease if not properly taken care of. Likewise, healthy teeth go a long way in making you feel happy and beautiful when hanging with friends, working at your job and going out on the town! Americans are becoming more and more health-conscious as time goes on, visiting the dentist more frequently and learning about ways they can keep their smile glowing all throughout their life. If you’re noticing some yellowing or want to know about how to restore your smile, take a look at the simple dental health list below!
Did You Know?
A beautiful smile is highly coveted all over the world, especially the United States. According to an AACD survey, virtually all adults at 99% surveyed believed a healthy smile to be both socially and physically important. Another three-quarters felt an unattractive smile could hurt their career success and even their dating opportunities! More than half of the adult population over the age of 50 agreed that the one physical feature that stays attractive in spite of age is a nice smile, thanks to surveys conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Missing Teeth And Jaw Pain
When a tooth can’t be salvaged, there are always oral surgery, replacement teeth and crowns. Around 15 million people in the United States have both crown and dental replacements for missing teeth, with another three million possessing implants. While only 10% of all American dentists place implants, that number is increasing significantly by the year due to demand. Self-esteem is directly tied into a healthy smile — studies have shown 18% of people concealing their teeth in photos out of self-consciousness.
Cavities And Gums
Got a pain in your tooth? You may just have a cavity! It’s estimated nearly 80% of people have a cavity by the time they’re 17 years old, with at least one in five Americans having one or more untreated cavities overall. Cavities are caused by a variety of different factors, though some of the most common involve heavy smoking, unhealthy eating habits and a lack of proper maintenance in the day-to-day. Want to avoid those painful little holes in your teeth? You’ll want to get the hang of flossing every day!
Brushing And Flossing
Did you know only 20% of people claim to floss everyday? Flossing is a necessary habit to maintain to stave off cavities, gum disease and nasty plaque build-up. Over 75% of people don’t replace their toothbrushes, either, which can have long-term ramifications if not checked — toothbrushes become worn down over repeated use, greatly reducing their efficiency at breaking up food and plaque. Studies have shown one in four kids having never been to the dentist before they set foot in a kindergarten classroom, with only one in four American schools finding it necessary to refer children for dental health treatment and dental cleanings.
Keeping A Healthy Smile
It’s all about the good habits. If you want to maintain a healthy smile, you need to commit to a simple routine day-after-day. First step is replacing any old toothbrushes you have laying around, as a worn-out brush doesn’t do much to eliminate food and plaque. Flossing daily is a must to prevent cavities and gingivitis — even every other day will help immensely in keeping your mouth healthy! The average time a person waits for another dental appointment is three years, which means a little upkeep will go a long way in-between sessions. Now that you’re caught up on the ins-and-outs of dental health, a beautiful smile can be yours for a lifetime!