Many people enjoy this time of year for the thrills and chills. Trick-or-treating, haunted houses, scary movies – they’re all Halloween staples. But if you want a real scare, you don’t need Michael Myers or Freddy Krueger. Continue reading to learn some frightening dental statistics, as well as the importance of regular preventive care.
Check on the Children!
Turns out, it’s no summer camp monster that’s after the kids; it’s tooth decay!
A few stats concerning this demographic, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- By the age of 9, half of U.S. children have had a cavity in their baby or adult teeth. Half!
- 46 percent of children between ages 2 and 19 have untreated or restored cavities in their permanent teeth.
- On average, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned dental treatment.
So, what can be done? It all begins with good at-home oral hygiene. Brushing should begin with the eruption of a child’s first tooth. Help them brush until they’re able to do it on their own, and once they have teeth touching one another, daily flossing becomes a must.
Professional preventive care is the other key component of maintaining a healthy smile. Make sure you take your child to the dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings. Dental sealants and fluoride treatments can also effectively prevent cavities in your kid’s smile.
In fact, the CDC also points out that children ages 6 to 11 without sealants have almost 3 times as many cavities in the first molars as children with sealants!
Gum Disease is a Problem
The gums are the foundation of your smile. If they’re not in good shape, you’re limiting your chances of enjoying good oral health.
And according to these statistics from the CDC, there is trouble brewing:
- Gum disease – whether it’s the early stages called gingivitis or more serious, later stages called periodontitis – is the second most common oral health issue in America, trailing only cavities.
- Periodontitis affects a whopping 42 percent of all adults aged 30 and older. That’s nearly half of American adults!
- Severe gum disease can result in tooth loss.
Gingivitis can often be treated with better at-home oral hygiene and a professional cleaning. Once gum disease progresses to later stages, those symptoms can only be managed by dental procedures like scaling and root planing.
Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect and target gum disease before it progresses.
Things Are Scary Abroad, Too!
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 3.7 billion people worldwide experience oral diseases. That’s nearly 45 percent of the global population.
Common conditions include tooth decay, severe gum disease, and tooth loss. These problems can interfere with eating, speaking, and everyday activities.
Although oral diseases are widespread, many can be prevented or managed through good oral hygiene, professional dental care, and access to preventive services.
If you thought you were the only one with tooth problems, think again! However, good daily hygiene habits and regular help from your dentist can keep many of these scary stats in check.
About the Practice
Prime Time Dentistry is here to help you, not frighten you or judge you! We truly care about the well-being of our patients and only want to take care of your precious smile. Cavities, gum disease, bruxism, and other issues can all be addressed with our preventive services. Schedule your next checkup online or call our easy-to-find Frisco office at (945) 207-7463. You can also reach our Coppell office at (945) 207-7463.