This two-part article series presents United States tooth loss statistics born out of research collected by 11 different surveys, healthcare institutes and dental associations.
Most people think that a quick brush twice a day is enough to keep their teeth and gums in good condition, says the dentist in Pueblo CO. The vast majority fails to floss on a daily basis and to go for check-up appointments with the dentist twice a year. The result is that you have 80% of the population presenting with some form or stage of gum disease or infection and they don’t even know it!
Welcome to the second half of our two-part article series on the shocking statistics of tooth loss in the United States. In the first installment, the dentist in Pueblo Colorado focused on presenting some of the research numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Dental Association, the Surgeon General’s report on Oral Health and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. In this article, the dentist in Pueblo Colorado shall focus on some of the grizzly tooth loss statistics in the elderly and its impact upon one’s quality of life before ending off with a look at the effects of tooth loss on smile aesthetics and self-esteem.
The Dentist in Pueblo CO Presents: Tooth Loss and the Elderly
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 30% of adults over the age of 65 are edentulous (have lost all of their natural teeth) and this is primarily a result of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. Here’s the real shocker though: tooth loss and ill-fitting dentures are strongly linked to inadequate nutrition intake, which, as a result, can shorten a person’s life by 10 years, says the dentist in Pueblo CO! Missing teeth and dentures limit the types of food a person can eat; making it difficult for elderly patients to process the amount and variety of nutrients they need in order to stay healthy and strong. This is why we can’t stress enough the importance of opting for sophisticated teeth replacement technologies, namely dental implants. Dentures, explains the dentist in Pueblo CO, really compromise your bite functionality, jaw bone health and overall health and quality of life.
The Dentist in Pueblo CO Presents: Tooth Loss and Quality of Life
The Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Data Resource Center (DRC) have published several studies revealing that, on average, a person's quality of life is greatly diminished as a direct consequence of tooth loss. And this, explains the dentist in Pueblo CO, has everything to do with a compromised ability to chew and to speak properly, as well as a reduction in the frequency and quality of their social interactions with other people. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry has found 75% of all American adults to believe that an unattractive smile can actually hurt a person's chances for career success; not only social success!
The Dentist in Pueblo CO Presents: Statistics on Tooth Loss and Self Esteem
The culmination of research and surveys done by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry has yielded the following information:
- At 99.7%, practically all Americans believe that your smile is an important social asset.
- 96% of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more romantically appealing, says the dentist in Pueblo CO.
And here’s what the Opinion Research Corporation International had to say:
- 73% of Americans say they would feel self-conscious if they lost one or more of their original adult teeth.
- A healthy smile (white teeth, pink gums) scores amongst the top three aspects of a person's appearance that affects their self-esteem, says the dentist in Pueblo CO.
- 25% of Americans say that they would change their smile or teeth in order to improve their self-esteem.
Last, but not least, Guardian Insurance research reports that 66% of Americans feel tooth replacement is not just a cosmetic nicety, but is in fact a medical necessity. This is an incredibly important attitude to adopt if we are to change the way medical insurance companies treat dental implant procedures, explains the dentist in Pueblo CO.
A Final Note from the Dentist in Pueblo CO
It has been the aim of this two-part article series to encourage people to take better care of their teeth, says the dentist in Pueblo CO. After reading this, it should be obvious for all to see that the terrible oral afflictions that cause tooth loss are not found exclusively in people who NEVER brush their teeth. The pervasiveness of periodontal disease alone highlights how negligent our society is when it comes to oral healthcare and hygiene, says the dentist in Pueblo CO. Don’t become another statistic! Look after your teeth!