Virginia beach Cosmetic and Neuromuscular Dentistry Blog - Dr. Michael Folck

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Dental Hygiene in America



We don’t tend to think of tooth decay as a particularly serious problem facing our country on a national level. After all, any Norfolk general dentist can tell you how to treat and prevent it. But the numbers don’t lie: tooth decay is the most common childhood illness in America, and a 2014 study revealed that 42% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 have had cavities. USA Today called it “an epidemic.”
Adults in the United States are no better off. Approximately 5% of adults aged 20 to 64 in the U.S. have no teeth at all. Of the adults who do, 92% have had cavities in their permanent teeth, and a full quarter have tooth decay that is going untreated. “Epidemic” almost seems to understate the nature of the way basic dental problems have become so commonplace.
Why are there so many cavities in the United States? Part of it is the extremely limited access many of our citizens have to dental care. But another important issue is that people are not properly educated on the basics of dental hygiene and do a poor job of preventing tooth decay through their cleaning habits.
To prevent many common dental problems, you should:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day
  • Floss your teeth daily
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet
  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
  • Get two dental checkups and cleanings every year

To learn more about dental hygiene, contact the offices of Michael P. Folck, DDS. Our Virginia Beach offices are within driving distance of Chesapeake and Norfolk. Give us a call at (877) 206-3444 to start working on your dental hygiene today.

posted by Admin at 7:02 PM

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