Be Afraid: Some Scary Statistics About Dental Health

The Halloween season is a celebration of all things creepy, scary, and spooky, but the terror doesn’t have to stop with the zombies, vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. When you look at the general state of people’s dental health, you’ll find plenty of things to scream about. Here are some frightening dental statistics to give you some motivation to keep up with your dentist appointments and practice better dental hygiene.

Eating Candy May Be Fun, but Tooth Decay Isn’t

There are billions of bacteria in your mouth that love the sugary residues and food debris left behind after you eat candy and other foods. Tooth decay begins when these bacteria infect the enamel of your teeth, resulting in cavities that, if left untreated, will lead to toothache and tooth loss. Some frightening statistics about tooth decay include:

• Tooth decay is the most common health problem across the world.
• Almost 20% of children live with untreated cavities.
• More than 90% of adults have had cavities.
• About one in four adults lives with untreated tooth decay.

Gum Disease Is Far Too Common

The same bacteria that cause tooth decay can also infect your gums. Gum disease begins with gingivitis when the gum tissue around the teeth becomes inflamed. If allowed to progress, gum disease will lead to tooth loss, bone erosion, and possibly dangerous secondary infections like pneumonia and sepsis. Some unpleasant data about gum disease includes:

• Nearly 50% of adults over thirty have some type of gum disease.
• More than 70% of seniors live with gum disease.
• About one in four seniors live with complete tooth loss.

Many People Should Be Taking Much Better Care of Their Teeth

Tooth decay and gum disease are usually completely preventable with proper oral care. Unfortunately, not everyone is keeping up with their dental hygiene. A few unpleasant numbers on dental care are:

• About 20% of children never went to the dentist’s office in the past year.
• About 40% of adults did not see the dentist in the past year.
• More people on Earth own a smartphone than a toothbrush.
• Nearly 45 million adults lack dental insurance.
• The most common reason for adults to skip needed dental treatment is the cost.

Fortunately, you don’t have to become any of these statistics. By practicing proper oral hygiene and visiting your dentist as recommended, you can keep your teeth healthy and strong. Practice your skills with your toothbrush, your floss, and your antibacterial mouthwash, because these are your greatest weapons against the bacteria that would love to eat your teeth alive.

About the Author

Dr. Bob Heil earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Minnesota before completing a General Practice Residency at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. He proudly serves as a member of the American Dental Association, the Wisconsin Dental Association, and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. His office in Oshkosh, WI offers general, pediatric, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. To schedule an appointment, contact the office online or dial (920) 235-0320.