Dental problems, such as tooth decay or gum disease, can affect your ability to eat and speak properly and cause pain and bad breath. 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.
Oral health affects your life in ways that are often taken for granted. The mouth may reflect the overall health of the body and show signs of infection or illness before you experience other symptoms. It's a commonly overlooked aspect of health management, but one that's crucial to your well-being.
