As we begin a new month and look forward to summer, KOHC is taking time to celebrate National Dental Care Month in May. This month-long celebration is a chance to build awareness about the importance of preventive dental care for individuals of all ages.
The past two years have brought many changes in routine that affect dental care practices and oral health professionals are starting to see the impacts of these changes – including increased rates of tooth decay and urgent dental care needs. A new report by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health highlights a continued problem with missed dental visits and the reasons adults are still not accessing the oral health care they need. More than 2 years later, nearly 20% of adults report they have not visited an oral health provider since the start of the pandemic. The report also indicates that 55% of the adults surveyed reported having some type of oral health problem, but more than half of those who had an oral health problem did not seek care. Among the reasons for not seeking oral health care when they need it were cost and concerns about COVID-19.
Despite the changes we have seen over the last two years, it is safe and recommended that everyone continue caring for their teeth and having routine dental check-ups for preventive care – an important piece of oral health and overall health. You can practice preventive dental care at home by:
- Brushing your teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste
- Flossing your teeth once a day
- Limiting sugary snacks and drinks and choosing fluoridated tap water
Join KOHC is recognizing Dental Care Month throughout May by taking care of their teeth both at home and at the dental office.
