FEWER ADULTS ARE VISITING THE DENTIST

At Inspira Advanced Dentistry, we recently came across an interesting study from the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute. It found that between 2000 and 2010, the percentage of adults who regularly visited their dentist actually declined. In 2003, 41 percent of adults were getting checkups every six months, but by 2010, that number dropped to 37 percent. The steepest drop occurred in adults between the ages of 35 and 49, falling from 43 percent to 38 percent during that same time.

There is good news, though. While adult visits declined, dental visits for children actually increased—especially among low-income families. In fact, more low-income children visited the dentist in 2010 than in 2000, and 47 states reported growth in dental visits for this age group.

So why do the ADA and our team at Inspira Advanced Dentistry recommend dental checkups and cleanings every six months? While brushing and flossing daily are essential, professional cleanings go deeper, removing plaque and tartar you simply cannot reach at home. These visits also give us the opportunity to check for early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other issues.

If you have risk factors such as age, pregnancy, tobacco use, diabetes, or dry mouth, we may recommend coming in more frequently. If it has been a while since your last cleaning, we would love to see you. Call our Campbell, CA office today to schedule an appointment—and if you’ve recently visited us, we’d be so grateful if you left a review on our Google Profile. Your feedback helps us continue delivering exceptional care to our community.