With Halloween right around the corner, if you like being scared, this is your time to shine! In honor of the most terrifyingly terrific time of year, here are a few spooky dental stats that are quite a fright, as well as how to avoid becoming a startling statistic yourself!
Creepy Cavities
Did you know that nearly 18 percent of children ages 5-19 have untreated cavities? Or that unplanned or emergency dental care causes an estimated 34 million lost school hours each year? Scary!
Periodontal Perils
Here’s a frightening fact: over 40 percent of adults aged 30 years or older have some form of periodontal disease, and over 70 percent of adults aged 65 years or older have full-fledged periodontal disease!
Insurance Insanity
Unfortunately, an estimated 45 million American adults don’t have any form of dental insurance coverage, and cost is the main reason that adults aged 18 to 64 don’t seek help for oral health problems.
Lurid Losses
Here’s a frightening fact! Approximately 25 percent of adults ages 65 and up have lost all of their adult teeth! Missing adult teeth can not only make it harder to speak and chew, but it can also hurt your self-esteem and cause your jawbones to deteriorate. Now that’s terrifying!
Safe Solutions
While this data may seem downright dismal, the good news is that much of it is easily preventable. Here’s what you can do to keep your teeth and gums safe from harm!
- Always brush your teeth twice a day, and floss at least once a day
- Visit your dentist twice a year for your semi-annual dental cleanings and exams
- Treat any dental pain that lasts longer than 24 hours as a dental emergency and see your dentist as soon as possible
- Never use your teeth for anything besides food
- Avoid a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates
- Don’t smoke
Remember, while it may be fun to be scared sometimes, there’s nothing good about bad oral health. Take proper care of your teeth and gums, and you’ll have nothing to fear!
About Dr. Sehnert
Dr. Phillip Sehnert loves helping improve his patients’ lives through excellent oral health. Whether he’s performing a routine exam, a dental implant procedure, or he’s relieving pain by treating a cavity, him and the team at Sehnert Precision Dentistry are proud to assist.
To schedule a routine or urgent dental appointment, please visit our website or call us today at 972-634-7779.