Oral Health Care Statistics

By Dr. Damon on January 03, 2019

Regular dental visits and proper at-home care are crucial to long-lasting oral health. Due to the increase in dental education in the United States, most patients are aware of the importance of routine dental services.

However, how many people actually follow through with these recommended practices? Today, our Fort Worth, TX team explores oral health care statistics and sheds some light on numbers in the United States and around the world.

U.S. Statistics on Untreated Dental Caries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 18.6 percent of American children had untreated dental caries in 2014. The same study shows that among American adults, 31.6 percent of individuals had untreated dental caries.

Routine dental exams and cleanings can reduce the risk for cavities. In most cases, patients can maintain healthy teeth and gums with biannual visits.

Gum Disease in America

Tooth decay is not the only thing that contributes to oral health problems. Gum disease is also a serious concern. In fact, the CDC reports that almost half of all Americans have experienced some form of periodontal disease.

The risk for gum disease increases as we age; those over the age of 65 are much more likely to develop the condition.

Brushing and Flossing: Statistics in the United States

According to the American Dental Association, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each session. Research by Delta Dental indicates that approximately 70 percent of Americans brush upon waking and before going to bed. However, the average brushing time is about one minute and 52 seconds.

Unfortunately, this means that there are still plenty of Americans who are not brushing as often as they should. In fact, 23 percent of those involved in the study mentioned above admitted that they had gone at least two days without brushing their teeth.

What about flossing? Most dental patients know they should clean between the teeth at least once every day. But how many people actually do this? According to the study by Delta Dental, only 40 percent of individuals floss daily. Meanwhile, 20 percent do not floss at all.