Americans are pretty lazy about their oral care.
A new survey from the American Dental Association (ADA) finds that Americans’ average score was a “D” in a range of true and false questions. Some of the questions included:
- How often should teeth be cleaned?
- What causes cavities?
- At what age should
a child first visit the dentist?
Oral health is a critical part of overall health, yet it’s apparent that most people do not make caring for their mouth and teeth a priority. Not even for appearance sake!
The ADA’s national survey also found:
- 81% of people believe that cavities are caused by sugar. However, it is not the actual sugar that causes cavities, but germs in the mouth that feed on sugar and produce acid that attacks the teeth enamel, which over time wear down the enamel to such an extent that cavities form.
- 75% have no idea at what age they should take a child to the dentist for the first time. According to ADA recommendations, a child’s first dentist visit should be within six months after the first tooth appears or before the child’s first birthday.
- 65% of people think their toothbrush should be replaced twice a year, when it should be replaced every three months.
- 59% of people are unaware that germs that can cause cavities can be passed from person to person.
Oral care should not be taken lightly. If you’re uncertain about whether your oral hygiene is up to par, I encourage you to take our Interactive Teeth Quiz and contact us for an appointment if you’re teeth are due for a cleaning.
