Though Americans are encouraged from a young age to keep their pearly whites squeaky clean, our track record when it comes to understanding oral hygiene isn’t so spotless. A recently released survey from the American Dental Association (ADA), has revealed that our citizens’ average score on survey questions regarding dental health was a little below average at a “D.”
The questions compiled in the survey were true and false, and a sampling of some of the ones Americans seemed to struggle with dealt with frequency of teeth cleaning, causes of cavities, and the age at which a child should make his or her first trip to the dentist.
The conditions of mouths nationwide should serve as a testament to the lack of knowledge regarding proper dental health care. Ninety percent of Americans between the ages of 20-64 have had cavities in their adult teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Children, too, who have not yet lost their baby teeth, have been found to have mouths crammed with cavities: nearly fifty percent of children between ages 2-11 have cavities.
ADA’s newly launched consumer website, Mouth Healthy, provides important information on preventative dental care and treatments; hopefully, the site will serve as a springboard for Americans in improving their dedication to oral care. To learn more about tooth care, and to see if you’re up to par on dental hygiene, visit Mouth Healthy’s website, and test your knowledge with their dental IQ exam.
Start showing an interest in your dental health today by scheduling a routine visit for preventative care with Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville.
Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville offers custom-fitted night guards, the most widely used treatment for bruxism. This device slips over the teeth, preventing contact with the opposing teeth, relieving the pressures of grinding and clenching.
If you have any questions about Preventative Dental Care or Routine Cleaning, or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville, Maryland by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com.
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Sources
Oral Health – Americans Score Badly