When was the last time you visited the dentist? If you haven’t been seeing your dentist on a regular basis, then you may want to consider making an appointment soon.
What type of dental care do you currently want or need? Do you need general dental care for basic maintenance such as teeth cleaning and a complete check-up? Do you think you might have a cavity? Or, would you like to see a dentist for cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of your smile?
The average time between dental visits for many people is three years. While their reasons likely vary, it’s possible that they need to find a dentist with whom they feel comfortable, especially one that offers pain-free dentistry.
How often do you change your toothbrush? According to a recent poll, 75% of Americans claim that they don’t change their toothbrush regularly or as often as they should. Some people, however, will do so every three months.
In terms of brushing, it appears that women do so slightly more often than men:
- After every meal: 28.7%
- Twice a day: 56.8%
Here is how men compare with brushing:
- After every meal: 20.5%
- Twice a day: 49%
When it comes to flossing, 22% of the men and women polled stated that they do so on a daily basis. It’s also interesting to note that 74% of people in the United States have periodontal disease of some type.
If you’ve tried over-the-counter whitening products, you’re probably aware that they’re not as effective as having your teeth whitened by a dentist. Americans spend approximately $1.4 billion on these types of products on an annual basis. When having their teeth professionally whitened by a dentist, however, 82.5% noticed a substantial difference.
If you’re one of the 32% that are concerned by how their teeth appear, or one of the 18% who avoid showing their teeth in photos, perhaps you need a dentist for cosmetic reasons. According to a recent survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99.7% of the adults surveyed believe a healthy smile is important in social settings.
When you need a dentist, it’s important not to postpone. Having good oral hygiene doesn’t only make a difference in the quality of your smile, it also affects your health.