How Your State Ranks for Oral Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), around 37% of adults in the US have gone at least one year without visiting their dentist—and this has led to several states having unfavorable oral health levels across all of their denizens! But it’s not just about regular oral care; many other lifestyle factors contribute to declining oral health. Here’s some useful information from your trusted dentist about some of the states with the best and worst oral health, along with a few noteworthy factors that play into it.

The States with the Best and Worst Oral Health

Though there’s no surefire way to measure the oral health of every person in a given state, these findings measure a range of adults who visited the dentist in the past year, the treatment costs to dentists per capita, and other factors. Ranked, the states with the best and worst oral health look like this, with #1 being the best:

What Factors Play into Declining Oral Health?

The bottom line is that there are a variety of different factors that play into declining oral health, no matter where you’re located or what kind of lifestyle you lead. That said, here are a few of the most common ones that are worth mentioning:

• Eating foods that are harmful or hazardous to your teeth and gums, including sugary and acidic items that damage enamel but also certain items that can cause chips and cracked teeth.
• Excessive contact with certain chemicals, including swimming pool chlorine, antibiotics, and even the chemicals found in store-bought teeth whitening strips.
• Drinking alcohol frequently, smoking cigarettes, or using tobacco products.
• Chronic stress, as it can increase your risk of gum disease via inflammation and also factor into bruxism (teeth grinding) that places excess pressure on your jaw. Patients with anxiety can experience similar interactions.
• Partaking in sports or physical activities without the use of proper safety equipment.

To put it simply, the majority of these risk factors are avoidable if you strive to lead a healthy life and enjoy things in moderation. You don’t have to be a part of a negative statistic; your oral health is too important to leave it by the wayside!

About the Practice

The talented team at Wethersfield Dental Group is excited to offer families in the Wethersfield, CT community an unmatched level of care! Under the leadership of Dr. Ukti Phadnis, the practice is proud to offer a wide range of services including various preventive, restorative, and cosmetic treatments. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule a visit, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone for further assistance. Telephone: (860) 400-3007.