Oral B and the Dental Foundation of Spain undertook a study in 2015, which revealed a snap shot of dental health in Spain. It revealed that 31.2% of children have tooth decay in their milk teeth, with 86% of Spaniards over 12 years old having tooth decay. This is a worryingly high number which could be drastically reduced by good dental hygiene, reducing the sugar in your diet and also visiting the dentist regularly.
The study also showed that one in three adults have gum disease, something which can affect the gums, ligaments and bones, causing teeth to fall out. There have also been links between gum disease and health complications including stroke, diabetes and heart disease, so 8 million Spaniards are putting their health at risk by not taking good care of their teeth.
The report identified a few key reasons why Spaniards were suffering from tooth decay and gum disease –
- A high incidence of smoking
- A high level of alcohol consumption (nearly double the world average)
- 17% levels of obesity, which is expected to rise to 30%
The good news is that 8 out of 10 Spaniards brush their teeth at least twice a day, with 45% brushing the recommended three times a day. However only 34% floss and only 50% have been to the dentist in the last year.
It revealed that 54% of the parents surveyed hadn’t taken their 2-6 year old child to the dentist, but that 71% of 7-10 year olds were going to the dentist every 6 months. We recommend taking your child to the dentist at least 6 months after their first baby tooth comes through and from then on every 6 months, to avoid problems developing. We have answered the most commonly asked questions that parents ask in our blog How can I look after my child’s teeth in case you have any doubts.
The most common dental problems in Spain are sensitive teeth, tooth decay and bleeding gums. 36% of those surveyed had toothache and 25% some kind of issue in their mouth over the last year. It is great to have these statistics, as it can help to focus on the ways to improve the nation’s dental health for the future. Read the full report
If you haven’t been to the dentist in the last year, please make an appointment today. Visiting the dentist regularly is key to keeping your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and stopping toothache and sensitivity. Make an appointment.
