Americans taking better care of their oral health
A report from Delta Dental has indicated that Americans may be following better oral health care habits. The findings may be the result of heightened awareness of the association between oral health and systemic health.
Investigators asked 1,000 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older and 1,000 U.S. parents of children aged 12 years and younger to complete a survey about their oral health.
The investigators found that 91% of the respondents stated that preventive dental visits were equally as important as their annual physical, 92% of them recognized the link between oral health and systemic health and 96% of them understood the importance of their children’s oral health — potentially contributing to a 72% rate of twice daily toothbrushing among their children. Further, 85% and 88% of the respondents had dental insurance to provide financial assurance and prevent dental emergencies, respectively. With increasing dental insurance coverage, many Americans may have greater access to dental care.
The investigators suggested that more Americans are practicing better oral health care habits because of several factors, including teledentistry visits that make it easier for some patients to receive dental consultations, incentives to save money by avoiding the need for emergency dental care and a desire to feel more self-confident as well as boost their mental well-being. They concluded that improved oral health may help Americans reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and diabetes.
Read more: Delta Dental
The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.