One of the very lucky things about being a dentist is knowing that most oral diseases are preventable.
Dentistry has improved greatly over the last several decades, and we know that for most people, if you brush, floss and visit your dentist regularly, you’ll most likely be OK.
That’s why it can also be frustrating to see statistics like these, from the Centers for Disease Control:
- 15.6% of children ages 6-19 suffer from tooth decay.
- 23.7% of adults ages 20-64 years suffer from tooth decay.
- 4-12% of adults in the U.S. suffer from advanced gum disease.
- 25% of adults ages 65 and older have lost all their teeth.
Most people can avoid being among these statistics by brushing at least twice per day, flossing daily, and visiting their dentist for regularly scheduled check-ups. Doing so will not only help preserve your teeth, but also help keep you out of the dentist’s chair for uncomfortable and costly procedures to fix your teeth.
You only have one set of teeth—take care of them!