Why visiting the dentist matters

It has been said time and again that regular dental check-up is a must for everyone. However, a report recently published in the Journal of Dental Research revealed that nearly 4 billion people—or almost half of the world’s population have oral health conditions that can lead to other issues, like the inability to eat properly or sleep at night. And individuals who suffer from untreated conditions such as tooth decay or cavities in permanent teeth make up 35 percent of the global population. Of all the 291 major ailments identified in the report titled Global Burden of Oral Conditions in 1990-2010: A Systematic Analysis, cavities were the most common.

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In the U.S., the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that about 16 percent of children from ages 6 to 19 suffer from untreated dental caries. As for the percentage of adults (ages 20 to 64) with untreated dental caries, CDC estimates it around 24 percent.

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Visiting the dentist twice a year for cleaning and general check-up is not only a good oral health practice, but it can be a lifesaver, too, as studies have shown that there are several diseases and health conditions that can be influenced by the cleanliness of the mouth. Thus, it is important for people to visit their dentist on a regular basis as a salute to good health.

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Domenick Coletti DDS, MD, is a partner at Central Maryland Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Subscribe to this Twitter account for select news about oral health.