Parents teach their children many things. They teach their sons how to be respectful of women. They teach their daughters how to strive for their dreams. They teach all of their children how to work hard for everything that they want. The teach their children how to lead a healthy lifestyle. From what to eat and how to exercise, parents teach their children not only by what they say, but also how they act. If, for instance, you want to teach your children about the importance of excellent oral health, your children should see you going to the dentist on a regular basis, as well as brushing and flossing two to three times every day?
How are you doing? Are you setting the right examples for your children about how to practice the best oral health skills?
From Comprehensive Dental Exams to Cosmetic Treatments, Dentists Play an Important Role
The dental health of your children will directly be impacted by the habits that their parents have. Parents who take the time and make the effort to visit a dentist on a regular basis will be more likely to have children who do the same. Finding the right dentist can, for most people, make getting to appointments on a regular basis more likely. A knowledgeable and kind dentist can help even the most hesitant patients make one appointment after another, never missing a needed checkup or follow up appointment.
Consider some of these facts and figures about the dental needs and habits of Americans, including parents who are trying to set the best examples for their children:
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) survey results indicate that virtually all adults, in fact as many as 99.7%, believe a healthy smile is socially important.
- Going to a dentist on a regular basis yourself is the best way to make sure that your children understand the importance of excellent oral health standards.
- Research indicates that 74% of Americans have some form of periodontal disease.
- Every time that you tell your children that you are going upstairs to brush your teeth after a meal is an opportunity to remind them how important excellent oral health care is to you.
- Although people know how important oral health is, the average time a person waits for another dental appointment is three years.
- The mere fact that 74% of adults feel an unattractive smile can hurt their career success, should be reason enough to make sure that parents teach their children about the importance of oral health habits.
- Statistics show that only 10% of all U.S. dentists place implants. That percentage, however, continues to increase.
- More than half of the adult U.S. population over age 50 indicated in a survey that a smile is the one physical feature that stays the most attractive as people age, according to a survey by the AACD.
- Implants continue to be a popular choice for people looking to improve their smile and their overall oral health. In fact, 3 million Americans currently have implants, but that number is growing by as many as 500,000 a year.
- Living with periodontal disease is more common in men than women. In fact, the statistics are 56.4% compared to 38.4%. This condition is also more common for those living below the federal poverty level, 65.4%; those with less than a high school education, 66.9%; and current smokers, 64.2%.
- Even when you are practicing the best oral health habits, accidents happen. Once an accident happens, though, the most important thing to do is get to a dentist as fast as possible. When helmets and mouth guards, two forms of protection, do not work, make sure you get the professional help you need immediately.
Most of us understand that A GREAT SMILE does not just happen. If you want to have a smile that you are proud of it is important that you practice the excellent oral health practices. What are you teaching your children about how they should care for their teeth and work toward a beautiful smile? Neither income nor gender should determine the oral health of today’s children in America. Every parent should make every effort to make sure that their children grow up with strong oral health habits and a healthy and beautiful smile.