Many people don’t visit the dentist until they’re experiencing dentistry issues. This might include a painful throbbing sensation, a cracked tooth, or bleeding gums. While some individuals may suffer through these issues in the hope that they will go away on their own, others will immediately schedule a dental visit.
Recent figures show, however, that people usually wait 3 years between their dental visits. Even when these individuals brush, floss, and change their toothbrush often, there may be a variety of dental problems developing. When people visit the dentist more often, such as every 3 to 6 months, it’s likely that many of these problems could be prevented.
A common dental problem is periodontal disease. It is estimated that 74% of the people in the United States have some form of this disease. By the age of 30 or older, approximately 47.2% of adults have periodontal disease, which tends to increase with age. By 65 or older, 70.1% of Americans have some level of this disease. When left untreated, it can cause the loss of one or more teeth.
It is estimated that over 30 million Americans have all of their teeth missing in their upper and/or lower jaw. While half of these individuals may have crowns or bridge replacements, others are turning to teeth implants. Currently, 3 million people have had dental implants, and this number is increasing by 500,000 every year. According to the scientific literature, the success rate for teeth implants is 98%.
The importance of receiving regular dental care cannot be stressed enough. In addition to teeth whitening services and checking for and filing cavities, dentists screen for periodontal and other diseases. Dentistry services are also available for a variety of cosmetic purposes. This includes closing spaces between or reshaping teeth, and restoring worn or short teeth.
An American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) survey found that 99.7% of the participating adults believed healthy smiles were important socially. Furthermore, 74% felt that their career success could be harmed by an unattractive smile. The AACD also found that for over half of the 50 and older population, smiles continue to be a person’s most attractive feature as they age.
If you haven’t been to the dentist for a while, you might want to make an appointment at a full-service dentistry office as soon as possible. While all you may need is some teeth whitening, you want to make sure that there aren’t any other issues developing. As you’re likely aware, oral health is an integral aspect of good overall health.