Americans Score Low for Dental Health Knowledge

According to the American Dental Association, the United States needs some education on the facts about oral health. The association’s new Web site, mouthHealthy.org, features the results of a national survey that recently gave the average American a “D” on the fundamentals of oral health.

The survey offered a range of true or false questions about topics like: how often to clean your teeth, the causes of tooth decay, and when a child should first visit the dentist. The survey revealed some shocking results that only proves, Americans need to listen to their dentists, and dentists need to inform their patients!

Some Misunderstood Facts

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nine in ten adults aged 20-64, and close to half of children aged 2-11, have had cavities. Dental disease remains the most common chronic disease in children.

In addition, ADA’s survey revealed the following:

  • 90% of those who took the survey believe you should clean your teeth after every meal. ADA recommends cleaning your teeth only twice a day.
  • 81% of those who took the survey believe cavities are caused by the consumption of sugar, while the bacteria that feeds off the sugar on your teeth is what actually causes them.
  • 75% of those who took the survey were ignorant of when a child should first visit the dentist. The ADA recommends a child should first visit the dentist as soon as six months after they receive their first tooth.
  • 65% of those who took the survey believe they should replace their toothbrush only twice a year, when you should actually replace it every three months.
  • 59% of those who took the survey did not know cavity-causing germs could be passed person to person.

Test Your Own Knowledge

You can take an oral health IQ of your own at Mouth Healthy .org. The Web site also includes a children’s section aiming to educate youth using Sesame Street videos on oral health as part of Sesame Workshop’s oral health outreach Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me.

Schedule Your Next Visit

To schedule a consultation, call our  Lake Forest dental office at (847) 234-0517.

Dr Fondriest is a Nationally recognized and highly sought after cosmetic dentist serving clients from throughout the United States 

Source: Medical News Today