subject: Teeth Are Getting Healthier [print this page] Teeth Are Getting Healthier Teeth Are Getting Healthier
Over the last several decades, our mouths have become much healthier than they used to be. Twenty years ago we visited dentists less often, had fewer teeth and cleaned those we had less often. This trend towards a healthier smile looks set to continue too, especially as preventive dentistry now plays such a key role in modern dental care.
Statistics from the UK's oral healthcare show that in 1968, 37% of adults had lost all their teeth. By 1998, this figure had more than halved, and experts predict it will be less than 5% by 2013.
In 1983 less than half of us (48%) went for regular dental examinations but by 2003, 61% of us were regular visitors to a dental practice. So why are we more dentally conscious? Much of this is due to the importance we now give to looking and feeling younger, and keeping our natural teeth makes a big difference. The explosion of celebrity culture and easy to access media also shows people with perfect smiles, which is now considered to be the norm.
A lot of it has to do with better health education too. Modern dentists, particularly those in private practices, now focus strongly on preventive dentistry to help avoid problems, with oral hygiene treatment an essential part of routine dental care. Advice on oral hygiene aides is regularly given and sales of products such as dental floss, electric toothbrushes and mouthwash have soared. Add to this the advancement in dentistry and the use of dental implants to replace missing teeth, it is no wonder our teeth are healthier than they have ever been. At a time when we are living for longer, it is clear that having a great, natural set of teeth is far more important to us now than ever before.
