The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that 99.7% of the adults they surveyed believed it’s socially important to have a healthy smile. The survey results also indicated that 74% of adults believed that unattractive smiles could have a negative impact on their professional lives. Given this, it’s interesting to note that 100 million Americans don’t schedule regular dental appointments on an annual basis. Furthermore, data from 2015 showed that there was an average of three years between their dental visits.

Periodontal Disease and Other Dental Issues

Periodontal, or gum disease, is a concern for many adults. Nearly half, or 47.2% of adults 30 years of age or older, experience some form of this disease.

Untreated cavities are also a concern. Approximately 20% of adults within the United States have at least one cavity that needs to be treated.

Stained, or otherwise discolored teeth, can also affect a person’s smile. When teeth are whitened by a dentist, however, 82.5% of a survey’s participants stated that they noticed a significant difference.

Replace Missing Teeth With a Dental Implant

For individuals that have one or more missing teeth, dental implants are a popular option. Approximately 500,000 people every year are opting for this procedure, which has a 98% success rate. One of the major reasons for choosing a dental implant is that implants have the appearance and function of normal teeth.

Schedule an Appointment With Your Dentist

Since you know oral hygiene is important, it makes sense to schedule regular visits to the dentist. Even when you floss and follow the American Dental Association’s recommendations to brush your teeth at least twice a day, you may still experience other issues. In addition to having a professional whitening session, you may have a cavity or two that needs treating. If you aren’t sure whether or not you are developing periodontal disease, your dentist will be able to determine this and begin addressing this issue.

Once you visit your dentist, you’ll be able to discuss your concerns and create a plan to address them. Just imagine how wonderful you’ll feel after taking care of your oral health. This will also make a definite difference in how bright you’ll smile in social and professional settings.