Did you know that Japan has the most dental hygienists in the world, at over 200,000?
Although it’s a small island nation, Japan is one of the top five countries with citizens who have the best teeth as well. Factors like education, access to dental care, and total number of dentists or hygienists can make a major difference in how well a population can care for its teeth on a regular basis. Discover the countries whose citizens have the healthiest smiles and learn more about why that is.
Top Five Countries with the Best Teeth
It’s no surprise that the five countries with the healthiest smiles are all influential, developed nations. Also notable is that their locations differ wildly, from Canada to Denmark, South Korea to the United States. Here’s a list of the five countries whose populations have the healthiest teeth in the world:
- Japan
- USA
- South Korea
- Canada
- Denmark
Three Factors that Determine a Nation’s Oral Health Ranking
While it’s obvious that nations having more wealth and a lower degree of poverty would house healthier populations, but what are the specific factors that affect an individual’s oral health? Understanding these elements will shed light on why the citizens of some countries have far better smiles than others.
Diet and Income Level
While these are two important factors in their own right, diet and income level are also closely related. The healthiest diet involves a variety of fresh, high-quality foods, and nations that are better able to access these kinds of foods are going to maintain a level of overall healthier bodies and oral hygiene.
A High Sugar Diet Will Lead to Poor Oral Health on a Consistent Basis
It’s long been proven that sugar is the catalyst for a host of dental problems including cavities and gum disease. Countries that enjoy a high sugar lifestyle are setting their oral health up for failure, as the foods that are most popular also play a major role in destroying their smiles. One example of this is the Philippines, where a startling 97% of six-year-olds have cavities.
Access to the Oral Care they Need
If you had a toothache, but the nearest dentist is hundreds of miles away and you had no car, what would you do?
This is the dilemma facing many people in less-developed countries. When citizens don’t have access to the treatments and services they need, it makes caring for their smiles a difficult, uphill battle. Plus, even if there are general dentists in close proximity, there may not be dental specialists who can provide the kind of guidance they need.
The Ease of Finding Special Dental Services in America
One reason countries like the USA are consistently ranked high when it comes to excellent oral health is the easy access to dental care, including specialty services. With a variety of dentists in nearly every city, it’s rarely difficult to find a dentist who provides the exact treatment you need. These examples show how specialists in the US are readily available:
- While dental implants would be difficult to find in many countries, there are numerous providers scattered throughout the United States. Citizens of Berkeley, CA, for example, can visit Dr. Anthony Dailley and his team, as they have vast experience providing this highly sought after restorative treatment.
- Problems with crooked teeth can cause pain and an uneven bite, but if there are no orthodontists in the vicinity, then not many options are available. However, Americans can visit orthodontists in all 50 states, including Dr. Stephen Grussmark in Miami, Florida.
- Sleep apnea is a disorder that can steal your ability to sleep and devastate your life, but only a sleep specialist can give you the treatment you need. The people of Gig Harbor, WA need only to look to Dr. Chiarina Iregui for the most effective sleep apnea treatments available anywhere in the world.
Education and Resources
It’s not just having dentists nearby that affects your ability to care for your teeth. What if you were never educated about the need to brush your teeth twice per day, the dangers of eating excessive sugar, or other fundamental dental knowledge?
The availability of dental education and resources is a crucial factor in how well a population cares for their teeth. When you consider that Americans have teachers, dentists, and family members to share their knowledge with on how to care for their teeth, it’s easy to see how the absence of this information could quickly devastate your smile.
Home Care is Equally Vital to a Healthy Smile
In addition to lack of education, lack of access to dental products can be a major disadvantage for people in less developed countries. Items like toothbrushes, toothpastes, and dental floss are vital for caring for our teeth each day, and if people aren’t able to locate and purchase these items, their oral health will inevitably suffer.
Why Else Do You Think Some Nations Have Better Teeth?
Those are but three major reasons why certain nations excel when it comes to oral health, and others struggle. Looking deeper into the quirks and flaws of a particular country will reveal much about why their oral care standards are the way they are, and more importantly, how they can improve. What other ways can you and your loved ones improve your oral health at home?