Do you believe that your smile is important socially? A recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry showed that this was the case with 99.7% of its respondents.

Unfortunately, approximately 74% of people in the United States experience some level of periodontal disease. This, as you may be aware, can be quite painful as it affects the gums, roots, and often results in tooth loss.

While this condition can occur with men as well as women, it is more common in men. Furthermore, while individuals from all socio-economic brackets can develop gum disease, it is more common with those that live under the federal poverty level. It is also prevalent with individuals that didn’t complete high school as well as smokers.

For all adults 30 and over, data suggests that 47.2% of these individuals have some form of periodontal disease. This disease is even more prevalent with older adults because it tends to increase with age. It has been shown that 70.1% of adults 65 and above are living with this disease.

Recent data shows that over 30 million Americans have all of their teeth missing in either their upper or lower jaws. While some individuals may choose to have dentures and partials made to replace their missing teeth, others may opt for dental implants.

While 15 million Americans have crown and bridge replacements, approximately 3 million have implants. The number of implants is expected to increase by 500,000 per year. This is because unlike dentures and partials, implants have the appearance, feel, and functionality of natural teeth. While just 10% of dentists in the United States currently offer dental implants as part of their practice, this number is expected to increase.

Given that only 22% of Americans claim to floss every day, and 75% admit they don’t regularly replace their toothbrushes, it is not surprising that so many individuals have periodontal disease. The importance of regular comprehensive dental exams cannot be stressed enough. Early detection of periodontal disease may assist many Americans with minimizing the effects of this disease.

Since so many Americans believe in the importance of having healthy smiles, teeth whitening services can also assist them with putting their best smile forward.