Dental Care Statistics
River City Dental Solutions’ comprehensive range of dental services allow us to detect and treat common issues affecting our patients’ oral health. To help our patients better understand the importance of oral health care, we have presented dental care statistics that highlight the dental health issues affecting Americans.
In this blog post, you can read relevant statistics from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Contact our San Antonio, TX practice to learn more.
Frequency of Dental Appointments
Did you know that the American Dental Association recommends that patients receive regular cleanings and examinations every six months?
However, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that 12 percent of adults have not had a dental appointment in the past five years; they found that only 60 percent of adults have attended an appointment within the past 12 months.
Demographic statistics show that African American and Hispanic patients were the least likely to go to the dentist in the past five years.
White adults and those with higher-income brackets and higher education levels are the most likely to have seen a dentist during the past 12 months.
Oral Health Conditions
Your oral health is affected by the gums and other supportive tissues in the mouth and jaw. The NIDCR reports that 25 percent of adults believe the condition of their mouth is excellent or very good, while 14 percent report the condition of their mouth is poor.
The health affects of smoking on oral health are widely reported, so it is not surprising that current tobacco users are more likely to report a poor health condition for their mouth.
Dental Decay
Tooth decay is caused by acids that are released by oral bacteria. Bacteria, which thrives in the sticky substance known as plaque, can accumulate when it is not removed daily through brushing and flossing.
Cavities caused from dental decay are extremely common; 92 percent of all adults have had at least one cavity in their permanent teeth.
The NIDCR estimates that 26 percent of adults currently have untreated decay. For all adults, an average of 13.65 surfaces in the mouth have been affected by tooth decay.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of the supportive tissues in the mouth. This can include gum or bone tissue.
The early stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which causes mild inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. However, if not treated, gingivitis can lead to advanced forms of periodontal disease, which causes significant gum, tooth, and bone damage.
The NIDCR reports that 8.52 percent of adults aged 20 to 64 have periodontal disease, with 5.08 percent of them having moderate to severe periodontal disease.
Those more likely to have periodontal disease include older adults, African American or Hispanic adults, current smokers, and adults with lower income levels and education levels.
Find High-quality Dental Care
River City Dental Solutions offers comprehensive dental services. If you are new to the area, or are looking for a new provider, schedule your consultation with Dr. Perry or Dr. Shields today. Contact our practice at (210) 349-3745.
