JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Most children look forward to the Tooth Fairy, but research shows the Tooth Fairy is visiting Mississippi adults more often.
Mississippi has the second-worst dental health in the nation, according to data cited by WalletHub. Mississippi's dental habits and care and oral health rank third worst in the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 36% of adults have not seen a dentist in more than a year. The percentage of Mississippi adults who visited a dentist in the past year is the fifth lowest in the nation.
Data cited by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) shows that children are even less likely to visit the dentist. Neglecting your dental health early in life can have repercussions later on. She has the fourth highest percentage of seniors without natural teeth in Mississippi.
Other lifestyle factors also affect oral health. Mississippi has one of the highest percentages of adult smokers and one of the highest consumers of sweetened beverages in the nation. Additionally, Mississippi has one of the lowest numbers of dentists per capita in the nation.
To improve oral health in Mississippi, MSDH has implemented several programs across the state. Mississippi Seals is a preventive dentistry program that provides free services to participating schools across the state. MSDH provides reimbursement to eligible students who plan to take the Dental Practitioner Entrance Examination for those who wish to become dentists.
MSDH also encourages fluoridation of water systems. Fluoride has been shown to protect children's and adult's teeth from cavities. To find out if your city adds fluoride to its water, check here or the CDC's website.
