How much information do you really know about oral health? As your Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist I want to make sure that my patients have the knowledge they need to keep their smiles as healthy as possible. Prevention is an important word in dentistry because most dental disease can be avoided!
The American Dental Association (ADA) has launched a new website to help spread the word about oral health. This new site MouthHealthy.org offers information on prevention, care and treatment. It also includes a dental IQ test so that people can see how much they truly do know about oral health care.
So far, the results aren’t very good. Americans who have taken the survey have averaged a “D” on the true/false questions. As the President of the ADA said “Oral health is a critical part of overall health.” The survey has shown us that:
- 90% of us think we should brush our teeth after every meal. The ADA recommendation is 2 times per day.
- 81% of us think that sugar causes cavities. Sugar doesn’t actually cause tooth decay, it actually serves as food for oral bacteria that secrete acids that damage teeth and allow decay.
- 75% of Americans have no idea when a child should first visit a dentist. To give your child the gift of “prevention” you should take them for a first visit by their first birthday or six months after their first tooth comes in.
- 65% of people replace their toothbrush only twice per year. Brushes should be replaced every three months.
There are lots of questions on the survey and it is a good opportunity to learn more about oral health and how to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. There is even a Spanish language version and a section for kids with fun activities.
Patient education is an important part of what we do every day! For more information or to schedule your next appointment please contact your Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today.
