We are all taught at a young age the importance of proper oral hygiene, yet somewhere down the line many people cease to brush and floss their teeth properly. Less than half of all Americans say that they floss on a daily basis, thankfully a majority of people brush at least once, if not twice per day. Thanks to poor dental hygiene, an estimated 3.75% of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have no remaining teeth in the U.S. — an estimated 31.30% of adults over the age of 75 in the U.S. have no remaining natural teeth whatsoever. With new innovations in dentistry, orthodontists and dentists alike are hopeful that more people will stress the importance of proper dental hygiene.
Family Dentistry
It is recommended that everyone should floss and brush their teeth daily, but these practices are only part of what it takes to maintain a pristine smile. One’s oral health depends significantly on what one is eating — too many fatty or sugary foods can encourage the buildup of plaque, resulting in cavities. It is also recommended that adults and children see a family dentist at least twice per year. A family dentist specializes the general oral health of patients, focusing on the patient’s tongue, gums, and teeth. Many people find that a trip to the dentist is a pleasant one — many look forward to the regular cleaning they receive during this checkup. For those who fear needles and fillings, they will be happy to know that the latest technology in sedation dentistry makes a trip to the dentist virtually painless.
Cosmetic Dentistry
The rise of selfie culture means that more pictures are traversing the internet with each passing day. A majority of adults in the United States feel uncomfortable with their smiles, often doing their best to hide their teeth during photos. For those looking for a burst of photogenic confidence, consider visiting a cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentists specialize in procedures intended on beautifying and enhancing one’s smile through whitening, realigning, and surgical methods depending on the patient’s unique needs. Over the past five years the number of teeth whitening procedures has increased 300% across the nation as the procedure becomes cheaper and faster than ever before.
Oral Surgery
By and large, the main reason why most Americans choose not to see the dentist is the fear of painful procedures. The mouth is a sensitive place with a large number of sensory preceptors required for eating, thus it makes sense why many people are extra sensitive to dental pains. Thanks to the latest technology in sedation dentistry, more and more dentists are granting patients a pain-free experience regardless of the procedure. Many dentists prefer using nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, to place patients in a state of euphoria to block pain receptors during surgical procedures. Among the latest technology in sedation dentistry is the introduction of dental lasers as a replacement for the terrifying dental drill; these lasers allow the dentist to make precision cuts while causing no pain to the patient. These innovations are attributed in large part to the rise of dental implants across the nation. At the present there are an estimated 3 million Americans that have dental implants with around 500,000 more people joining this number each year. Dental implants are recorded to have a success rate of up to 98% as stated in peer-reviewed dental literature. For a painless way to take care of your oral health, consider visiting a dentist who employs the latest technology in sedation dentistry.
