Frightening Dental Stats for Spooky Season

Halloween is near, meaning people are looking for frights. After all, many like to get a good jolt of fear during October, whether from spooky costumes, scary movies, or haunting home décor. Still, did you know oral health in Vienna can be frightening too? Indeed, some of its facts can be downright terrifying. To prove it, your local dental practice is here with the details. Read on to learn some frightening dental stats and tips for keeping a healthy smile.

Scary Oral Health Stats

While many oral health stats are spooky, some are scarier than others. In particular, the most frightening ones cover the following:

Tooth Decay/Cavities

As it turns out, a lot of people have scarily unhealthy teeth. For starters, almost 18% of kids aged 5-19 have untreated cavities. As for adults, the percentage jumps to a whopping 91%! Furthermore, 27% of those same grown-ups have untreated tooth decay. Even seniors aren’t spared, as 1 in 5 adults over 65 have untreated tooth decay.

Gum Disease

Equally frightening are the stats regarding gum disease. You see, roughly half of all U.S. children have periodontal disease. That number doesn’t go down with age either, as over 47% of adults (30 years and older) also suffer from it. Gum disease risk rises with age, too, resulting in 70% of seniors (i.e., those 65 and older) dealing with the condition.

Dental Visits

Many of the eerie stats above can be explained by those concerning dental visits. Apparently, 17% of children ages 2-17 didn’t visit the dentist in the past year. Furthermore, an even greater number of adults — 38% of those 18-64 — also never visited. Thirty-nine percent of the elderly (i.e., aged 65 and older) didn’t attend either.

This lack of dental care seems to stem from high prices. Studies suggest the cost is why many adults don’t go to the dentist when they have an oral health problem.

Healthy Smile Tips & Tricks

Fortunately, you don’t have to be part of these spooky statistics. You’ll be fine as long as you follow the tips listed below:

• Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Remember to brush your teeth twice daily and to floss them once daily. As needed, feel free to rinse with mouthwash too.
• Eat a well-balanced diet: “Mouth healthy” foods like lean proteins, leafy greens, and whole grains strengthen your tooth enamel and protect your smile from decay.
• Visit Your Dentist: Don’t stop seeing your dentist twice yearly for checkups and cleanings. Your local practice will work with you to make care affordable.

As you can see, even oral health in Vienna can get scary. Luckily, you can reduce those scares by practicing the tips above!

About the Practice

Pace Dental is based in Vienna, VA. As led by Dr. Ahmed Saad, our practice uses the latest dental technology to deliver top-quality care. To that end, we provide preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, not to mention emergency procedures. Our office also prides itself on being a certified provider of Invisalign and SureSmile aligners. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (703)-938-6800.