Each year, opinions and knowledge of dental facts changes in the public sphere. That’s why Delta Dental conducts an annual survey of patients. To measure public perception of dentistry and oral health.
This year was no exception, and even yielded some promising data! Here’s a breakdown of what the 2023 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report had to say about patients’ perceptions of oral health care.
More People Understand The Importance Of Oral Health
This year, Delta’s report found that 92 percent of the adults surveyed considered oral health to be vital to overall health, and 96 percent of parents understood this as well.
Next, when surveyed, 73 percent of Gen Z agreed that maintaining overall oral health is good for total body health, while Generation X, Baby Boomers, and Millennials had a higher average of understanding this fact.
Speaking of Gen Z, a full 66 percent of Gen Z respondents have tried all-natural dental products, including bamboo toothbrushes and charcoal toothpastes, while only 36 percent of Baby Boomers can claim the same. It is important to note here that charcoal toothpastes are not better than traditional toothpaste, and can even damage your tooth enamel, so we don’t recommend you go this route.
Furthermore, there’s promising proof that preventative maintenance works. About four in five adults responded that they didn’t need any further unexpected dental care with regular dental visits, with saving money and preventing cavities and gum disease as their main reasons.
When surveyed, 82 percent of adults agreed that having dental insurance is essential to receiving proper dental care, which is another great sign. If you don’t already have dental coverage and it’s offered in your benefits, we highly recommend you purchase a policy for the prevention of serious oral health issues.
Thankfully, more people have begun to understand the importance of oral health care, and hopefully this leads to better oral health outcomes.
To schedule an exam with Dr. Abelar for your own teeth, please contact the office today!
