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Despite advances in orthodontic solutions such as invisible braces and dental aligners, millions of people still struggle with their dental and oral hygiene. In fact, a quarter of U. S. adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have at least one untreated cavity, according to Dental Statistics from the Centers for Disease and Prevention [CDC] [1] oral health. Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention. Retrieved 21/05/2024.
In addition, oral health disorders can manifest like other health disorders if left untreated, but the wisdom of dental data and oral hygiene practices can save those disorders. Read on to learn about teeth, common dental disorders, and more.
Interesting about oral health.
Forbes Health’s team of editorial experts uses credible knowledge resources to curate the most sensible dental fitness statistics and data. The sources come from knowledge and studies from the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. The studies are very well tested for accuracy and reliability.
Oral diseases affect nearly 3. 5 billion people worldwide, accounting for 3 out of 4 people living in middle-income countries, according to the WHO’s 2022 Global Report on the State of Oral Health. While there are many other types of dental disease, most non-unusual dental disorders are accompanied by gum disease and cavities. The WHO estimates that around 2 billion adults suffer from cavities in their permanent teeth, while 514 million young people suffer from cavities in their number one (baby) teeth. [4] Oral health. World Health Organization. Accessed on 21/05/2024.
In 2020, 13. 3% of U. S. adults age 65 and older lost all of their teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease, according to CDC data[5]Oral health data. Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention. Accessed on 22/05/2024. . .
Cavities, also known as cavities, aren’t as unusual as you might think. In fact, more than 90% of adults over the age of 20 have had a hollow space. [2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Tooth Decay and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999-2004 to 2011-2016. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2019. , with 82% of Americans having had at least one hollow space before age 34[6]Dental caries (caries) in adults (ages 20 to 64). National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Accessed on 22/05/2024.
Among 6- to 8-year-olds, more than the portion (52%) had a hollow space in at least one of their baby teeth, while more than the share of 12- to 19-year-olds (57%) had cavities in at least one of their teeth. their baby teeth. permanent teeth, according to the CDC[2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Tooth Decay and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999-2004 to 2011-2016. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2019. .
Despite the prevalence of cavities, they go untreated: A quarter of adults ages 20 to 64 have at least one untreated cavity. [2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Tooth Decay and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999-2004 to 2011-2016. Department of Health and Human Services. 2019. , and approximately 11% of children ages 2 to 5 years have untreated cavities. [7]QuickStats: Prevalence of untreated tooth decay in the first tooth in children 2 to 8 years of age, through the organization by age and race/Hispanic origin. Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention. Retrieved 22/05/2024. It is vital to treat cavities when possible, as they can cause pain and infections, leading to disorders when eating, speaking, playing and learning. in young people.
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars). While all children can benefit from dental sealants, the CDC recommends using them between the ages of 6 and 12, when the first and second molars come in. respectively.
This remedy can help save 80% of cavities for more than two years in the back teeth and continue to save you 50% of cavities for up to four years. [8] Preventing Dental Caries: Dental Sealant Distribution Programs in Schools. Community Prevention Services Task Force. Accessed on 22/05/2024. Despite the effectiveness of dental sealants, fewer than the share of youth (42%) and teens (48%) use dental sealants on their permanent teeth, according to the CDC[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Tooth Decay and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999-2004 to 2011-2016. US. Department of Health and Human Services. 2019. .
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an umbrella term for gingivitis and periodontitis, which involve inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, according to the National Dental Institute. and Craniofacial Research.
About 47% of adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease. This figure rises to 70% for adults aged 65 and older, according to a 2013 report by the CDC[9]Thornton-Evans G, Eke P, Wei L et al. Periodontitis in adults over 30 years ≥ years of age – United States, 2009-2010. MMWR Suppl. 2013; 62(3):129-135. .
While most people have periodontal disease at some point in their lives, the CDC reports that the disease is more common in the following people over the age of 30[9]Thornton-Evans G, Eke P, Wei L, et al. Periodontitis in adults over 30 years ≥ years of age – United States, 2009-2010. MMWR Suppl. 2013; 62(3):129-135. :
In 2020, approximately 65% of Americans reported visiting a dentist or dental clinic in the past year, according to CDC data[5] Oral Health Data. Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention. Retrieved 2024/05/22. Meanwhile, a March 2024 Forbes Advisor/Talker Research survey found that 38% of respondents are at least afraid of the dentist. [10] Social media activates 72% of Gen Z to compare their smiles to those of others. Forbes Health. Retrieved 2024/05/29.
In 2020, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Utah had the highest rates of people going to dental appointments, according to CDC data[5] Oral Health Data. Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention. Accessed on 22/05. /2024. .
Meanwhile, Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas, Mississippi and West Virginia had the lowest rates of dental visits. [5] Oral fitness data. Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention. Accessed on 22/05/2024.
In the United States, 4 million people need or already wear braces and 65% of adults do not have properly aligned teeth, according to the American Association of Orthodontists [11] The American Association of Orthodontists. Retrieved 22/05/2024. Given the number of teeth smoothing products on the market, some people would likely feel social pressure when seeking cosmetic dental care, according to the results of a recent Forbes Health/Talker Research survey.
To better understand those dynamics, the Forbes Health/Talker Research survey also explored how social media contributes to the pressure to achieve a better smile. Respondents who felt pressure from social media to replace their smile said they had undergone the following orthodontic work:
Oral health disorders can increase the risk of certain diseases, such as endocarditis, which is an infection of the inner lining of the cavities or valves of the canal. Research suggests that oral bacteria can enter a person’s bloodstream and infect other parts of the body, causing inflammation that can lead to cinput disease and more. Ther. 2021 Cardiovascular Diagnostics; 11(6):1403-1415. .
Research indicates that tooth loss, in particular, could be linked to a shorter lifespan. For example, a 2015 study in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology found that other people over the age of 70 who had at least 20 teeth lived longer than those who did. that they had fewer, suggesting that the number of teeth remaining a person is particularly related to their risk of mortality [13] Hirotomi T, Yoshihara A, Ogawa H, et al. Number of teeth and mortality at five years in an elderly population. Oral Epidemiol of Community Tooth. 201five; 43(3):226-231. .
Tooth loss can also have a mental impact, as a review of 8 studies conducted in 2020 found that tooth loss led to decreased self-confidence and increased emotional misery in others who had fewer than nine teeth left. [14] Kudsi Z, Fenlon MR, Johal A. , et al. Evaluation of mental disorders in patients with tooth loss: a systematic review of assessment tools. J Prosthodonte. 2020; 29(3):193-200. .
The CDC also notes that there is a correlation between dental fitness and diabetes:
Some studies indicate that inflammation and infections caused by oral bacteria could be linked to heart disease, clogged arteries, and strokes. However, more studies are needed to fully understand those relationships.
Conversely, other people with gum disease are at higher risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other serious cardiovascular event, according to a study.
Some germs from the mouth and throat can enter the lungs, potentially causing pneumonia and other respiratory infections. Additionally, a 2023 study found that other people with periodontal disease might be at increased risk for certain chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). )[17]Lin P, Liu A, Tsuchiya Y, et al. Association between periodontal disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Jpn Dent Sci Rev. 2023; 59:389-402. However, at least preventive dental treatment within three years can reduce the risk of ventilator-acquired pneumonia by up to 22%, according to a 2020 study by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health[18]Jpn Dent Sci Rev. 2023; 59: 389-402. The link between ventilation-associated pneumonia and the mouth. CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. Accessed on 22/05/2024. .
Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and other bureaucratic tobacco elements can increase the risk of oral cancer, gum disease and other oral health problems. People who smoke cigarettes are also more likely to suffer from untreated cavities, according to CDC data. [2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Tooth Decay and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999-2004 to 2011-2016. Department of Health and Human Services. 2019. .
Overall, 11. 5 out of every 100,000 adults will develop oral cancer, according to a 2015–2019 National Cancer Survey[19]Occurrence of oral cancer (new cases) by age, race, and sex. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Accessed on 22/05/2024. . Knowledge made us decide that the rates of oral cancer occurrence are 3 times higher in men of all ages than in women. However, the occurrence of oral cancer increases after age 50, especially in other seniors aged 65 and older.
As for race, rates of oral cancer occurrence were higher in white men than in Hispanic and black men, according to the survey results.
Despite the favorable and critical nature of dental care, many other people find the related costs prohibitive. Over the past 20 years, dental care costs per user in the U. S. have been lower than those in the U. S. The U. S. has increased by up to 30%. What’s more, more than one in four workers Older adults live without dental insurance, according to knowledge from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research[20]Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Accessed on 22/05/2024.
In 2018, the rate of dental underinsurance was 2. 5 times higher than the rate of health underinsurance, leaving about 66. 7 million Americans without dental coverage, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. In the same year, annual dental care prices in the United States amounted to $136 billion, or 3. 7% of the country’s total physical care spending. [20] Oral Health in America: Progress and Challenges. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Accessed on 22/05/2024.
Meanwhile, in 2017, 2. 1 million emergency room visits were similar to dental care. Medicaid covers about 69% of youth visits and about 40% of adult visits, according to the Health Policy Institute. [21] Emergency Room Visits for Dental Disorders: Overview. Institute of Health Policies. Accessed on 22/05/2024. .
Emergency dental care and untreated dental disorders cost not only money, but also time and productivity. Unplanned dental care accounts for approximately 34 million school hours lost per year[22]Naavaal S, Kelekar U. School hours lost due to acute/unplanned dental care. Health Behavior Policy Rev. 2018; 5(2) ; In addition, the United States loses about $45 billion in productivity annually due to untreated dental disease. [23] Time of need: Lost productivity time due to pressing dental needs. CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. Accessed on 29/05/2024. .
Dental disorders also have an effect on Americans’ job prospects. Approximately 28% of U. S. adults between the ages of 18 and 34 report that the appearance of their teeth or mouth conflicts with their ability to interview for a position. For households with income, that percentage rises to 29 percent, according to 2015 data from the Health Policy Institute. Oral Health and Wellness in the United States. Health Policy Institute. Accessed on 22/05/2024.
In addition to annual dental appointments, the CDC recommends the following behavior to promote smart oral health:
Many other people struggle to maintain healthy hygiene habits, but taking small steps to improve your oral health can have a significant impact on your overall well-being.
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