Did you know that, according to CNN, an estimated 4 in 10 Americans report working more than 50 hours a week?
This is certainly not the first time this alarming trend of overworked, over-scheduled and time-crunched Americans has been mentioned. The workplace is merely becoming more competitive and cut-throat as more and more professionals join in the all-work-no-play mentality in an attempt to keep up with their peers.
To add to already busy days, pastimes, households, social lives, and self-care routines have to be worked in somewhere.
So, how do average Americans fit all of this into only 24 hours a day?
The bottom line is they don’t.
Oral Health Routines are Falling by the Wayside
In 2014 only 62% of adults reported visiting the dentist according to the Centers for Disease Control. That means a whopping 38% of adults in the United States didn’t visit the dentist all year! What’s even more alarming: The American Dental Association reports that 37% of adults have gone two or more days without even brushing their teeth.
At the end of an exhausting day, it can be so easy to fall into bed and not get up. In the morning, in the mad dash to get out the door, it can be forgotten again. This cycle is so easy to perpetuate, and studies have shown self-care habits are some of the first to go out the window when our lives turn hectic. The result: Poor health and oral hygiene.
Maintain Regular Dental Visits
This is where visits to a dentist twice a year actually make a difference. The pockets surrounding your teeth are perfect breeding ground for bacteria and even if you brush and floss twice a day, sometimes you simply can’t get every little piece of rubble. Professional cleanings with high attention to detail guarantees that every surface and every hiding place is scrubbed clean regularly.
If your gums are bleeding when you brush and floss you are able already be suffering from Periodontitis.
Gum disease is not only is it the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, but it increases hazards for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory illness, dementia and even complications in pregnancy.
Other signs of gum disease include swollen gums, areas of the mouth where the gum is pulling away from the teeth, widening spaces between teeth, bad breath, toothaches, tender gums and tooth loss.
No matter your hectic schedule — healthy diet, a good oral health routine, and physical exercise are imperative.
About THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®
THE SCIENCE OF SMILES® offers affordable cosmetic and laser dentistry and gentle, compassionate general dental care in Pasadena, CA. Our office is conveniently situated with extended hours to meet your needs. At THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®, we offer most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures, complete dental rebuilding and TMJ/ Headache management. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover affordable up-to-date dentistry and a team who truly cares at THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®.