Stats to Know About Oral Health

You know the importance of brushing and flossing every day. You know you have to eat well, get enough rest, and keep up an exercise routine in order to be healthy. You also know you have to visit the dentist every 6 months for thorough teeth cleanings and screenings. But there are many things about dental hygiene in Studio City and beyond that you may not know. Check out these stats about oral health that may surprise you.

• About 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, an increase of 15 percent from the mid-1970s.
• The top cause of facial pain is temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJDs). This is caused by a dysfunction in the jaw joint, muscles and tissues, affecting between 5 and 12 percent of people. It comes with an annual estimated cost of $4 billion to treat. However, just two-thirds of those with TMJ disorders will seek treatment.
• 27 percent of adults in the U.S. have untreated tooth decay.
• About 30% of children between the ages of 6 and 11 have dental sealants to prevent decay. About 38 percent of teens between the ages of 12 and 19 have them.
• Almost 196,000 dentists were practicing dentistry in this country last year alone. About 127 million adults saw the dentist that year.
• The two top reasons why people don’t go to the dentist as often as they should? The cost of dental services and fear of the dentist. Nine percent say they needed dental care but didn’t go due to the high cost of the visit and treatment.
• The number of kids and teens between the ages of 5 and 19 with untreated tooth decay is two times as high for those coming from low-income families as those coming from high-income families.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children see their dentist at age 1 for the first time, then every six months after.
• About 46 percent of adults over the age of 30 have some type of gum disease. Severe forms of gum disease affect 9 percent of adults.
• In 2015, 30 percent of adults admitted their oral health was fair or poor, with 20 percent claiming they suffer from anxiety about it.

Contact Studio City Dental

If you have a concern about your oral health, or it’s time for your next visit, feel free to schedule an appointment with Studio City Dental today at 818-762-2977. We provide many helpful services, such as periodontal treatment, to address varying stages of gum disease.