Everyone needs dental care throughout their lives, and dentistry is an important branch of medicine. From oral surgery to wisdom tooth removal, a lot happens every year in American dental care. Read on for all the amazing facts about dental care in America.
Dental Implants
There are currently an amazing three million people in American who have dental implants, and every year another 500,000 people will get them. In fact, dental implants have moved so far from the ancient days of pre-modern dentistry that same day dental implants are possible today!
Missing Teeth
Speaking of dental implants and dental care, nearly 15 million Americans have had crown and bridge replacements for their missing teeth. This is probably spurred on by the fact that nearly a third of us report being “concerned” by the way our teeth look. In fact, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that nearly 4% of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 actually have no teeth left at all!
Wisdom Teeth
Every year, the American Public Health Association says that we’re spending about $3 billion to remove our wisdom teeth. This is especially concerning knowing that for every one person with medical insurance, there are nearly three people who have no dental insurance.
The Dreaded Cavity
Cavities are one of our oldest human problems, and the modern world still hasn’t solved this issue. The World Wide Health Organization estimates that between 60% and 90% of the world’s school children have at least one cavity. The American Dental Hygienist’s Association reports that by the age of 17 almost 80% of people in the United States have had a least one cavity.
Smile For The Camera!
A lot of people won’t, actually, because a lot of people are self-conscious about the look of their teeth. A majority of people believe that a good smile is crucial to employment and to love and that our smile is one of the few things about us that can retain its allure no matter how old we get. An American Dental Association survey done in Texas found that 28% of the people living there actively avoided smiling because of their teeth!
Avoiding Dental Care
One of the biggest reasons people end up needing extra dental care is a failure to brush and floss carefully. Most people are only brushing about 45 to 70 seconds every day when the recommended amount of time is two to three minutes. On average, though, an American will spend almost 39 whole days of their life brushing their teeth! Another thing that can ruin your teeth include sodas: people who drink more than three glasses a day have 62% more tooth decay than others.
Americans have access to great dental care. They also have some dental issues that need great dental care. Make sure you’re taking good care of your teeth and gums, and make sure you’re seeing a dentist when you should!
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