Oral health involves caring for one’s teeth, gums, throat, and bones throughout the month. It also consists of a person's capability to smile, chew, and talk, which has much to do with one's self-esteem, health, and capacity to collaborate and associate with others without feeling uncomfortable. Therefore, oral health is just as essential as physical and mental well-being. Common illnesses related to poor oral health are tooth decay, gum disease, and mouth and throat cancer.1
By 34 years old, at least 80% of adults have experienced one cavity, and more than 40% of individuals have suffered mouth pain within the past year. Every year, Americans spend over 124 billion dollars on expenses associated with dental care. Dental emergencies have caused children and educational staff to lose 34 million hours of schooling, which equates to 45 billion dollars in lost productivity because of these unintended treatments. Even worse, poor oral health has been connected with other chronic ailments, including heart disease and diabetes. Consuming sugary foods and drinks and smoking cigarettes are also associated with bad oral health.1
A primary prevention strategy that helps combat this public health issue is the fluoridation of community waters, which has been proven as an effective intervention to stop tooth decay and assist people in saving on dental costs. Unfortunately, this is not enough because individuals still must practice good oral hygiene, such as brushing teeth, flossing, and dental checkups for teeth maintenance and cavity prevention. Approximately 10% of adolescents two to five years old have cavities that go untreated, more than 50% of kids six to eight years of age have one cavity in their primary teeth, greater than 50 percent of juveniles ages 12 to 19 have experienced a cavity in one of their permanent teeth, 25% of adults ages 20 to 64 suffered untreated tooth decay, and more than 90 percent of adults have had a cavity in their lifetime. From 2009 to 2014, nearly 40% of adults aged 30 years and older experienced gum disease, and smoking cigarettes increases people's chances of developing it. In the United States, mouth and throat cancer caused 10,000 deaths in 2016, and about 45,000 new incidences of oral cancer were reported that same year. Oral cancer is often caused by smoking and chewing tobacco, engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, and excessive alcohol consumption. People diagnosed with oral cancer have a 61% survival rate of five years. High-risk sexual behavior has been linked to the oral Human Papilloma Virus, which is sexually transmitted and affects the back of the throat.1
Oral diseases are among the most common chronic illnesses and conditions globally, impacting about 3.5 billion individuals in low—and middle-income nations. Poor oral health disproportionately impacts disadvantaged and susceptible people with low social and economic status. These people include children in early childhood and the elderly, regardless of their income level. Oral health issues will continue to rise because of human aging and the world's growing population.2
People can take several preventive measures to help them reduce oral health problems. It is essential to visit a dentist once or twice annually, brush your teeth twice daily, floss them once daily, select healthier foods, quit smoking, drink fewer sugar drinks, and consume more water. If a person is scared to visit a dentist, try to relax and speak to him or her about their concerns. The dentist can help make that individual feel more comfortable during the exam. If someone cannot afford dental care, check their state's programs for free and low-cost options for children and older people. Community clinics may also offer an affordable sliding payment scale for other adults who do not qualify for state and federal programs that provide dental care.3
In conclusion, it is important to take care of your mouth. Poor oral hygiene can cause people to lose their teeth. Bad oral health can also impact people’s quality of life due to mouth and teeth pain, facial disfigurement, missed schoolwork, decreased work productivity, and increased morbidity and mortality.
References:
1. Oral Health Awareness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed May 20, 2024.https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/index.html#:~:text=Oral%20Health%20Conditions-,Oral%20Health%20Conditions,)%20disease%2C%20and%20oral%20cancer
2. Oral health. World Health Organization International. Accessed May 20, 2024. https://www.who.int/health-topics/oral-health.
3. Oral health. Womenshealth.gov. Accessed May 20, 2024. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/oral-health Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
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