MouthHealthy, part of the American Dental Association, is the patient's guide to dental health. Get information on dental health topics, preventive oral care,. Infants and children · Adults over 60 · Topics from A to Z · Nutrition. Oral health affects our ability to eat, speak, smile and show emotions.
Oral health also affects a person's self-esteem, school performance, and attendance at work or school. Oral diseases, ranging from tooth decay and gum disease to oral cancer, cause pain and disability to millions of Americans and cost taxpayers billions of dollars each year. Dental and oral health is an essential part of your overall health and well-being. Poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, and has also been linked to heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Most oral health conditions are largely preventable and can be treated in their early stages. The majority of cases are dental decay (tooth decay), periodontal disease, oral cancers, oral trauma, cleft lip and palate fissures, and noma (serious gangrenous disease that begins in the mouth and mainly affects children). Other conditions that may be related to oral health include eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, certain types of cancer, and an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth (Sjogren's syndrome).
