Oral health is not just about having a beautiful smile. For many Americans, oral health is often not considered a priority. This is reflected in the number of individuals who have little to no access to dental care.
Poor oral health can impact a person's overall health and conversely, poor general health can affect oral health.
Oral health problems in adults include cavities, missing teeth, gum disease, oral cancers, and chronic illness which can directly affect oral health such as poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hepatitis C, HIV, and weak immune systems.
Certain medications can cause oral ulcers, mucositis, and drying of saliva which can promote tooth decay.
For more information: www.cdc.gov/oralhealth
