October 11, 2020
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- Oral health is essential to general health and well-being.
- Oral disease can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning. It can also affect social interaction and employment potential.1
- The three oral conditions that most affect overall health and quality of life are cavities, severe gum disease, and severe tooth loss.2
- By age 8, over half of children (52%) have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth.3
- Low-income children are twice as likely to have cavities as higher-income children.3
- 1 in 4 adults aged 20 to 64 currently has cavities.3
- Drinking fluoridated water and getting dental sealants (in childhood) prevent cavities and save money by avoiding expensive dental care.4, 5
- Tobacco use and diabetes are two risk factors for gum disease.6, 7
- On average, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned (emergency) dental care, and over $45 billion in US productivity is lost each year due to untreated dental disease.8
- Medical-dental integration between oral health and chronic disease prevention programs benefits patients and saves money.9
Source https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/fast-facts/index.html
