For example, genes influencing taste preferences – such as those for sweet foods – are associated with cavities on certain teeth and surfaces of teeth. Oral health in kids is a reflection of their overall health and that of their families however, in addition to behavioral and social influences, genetic and other biological factors are also at play. Regular visits for dental care are also critical, as they provide an opportunity for cleanings and preventive care. It includes consistent brushing and flossing eating healthy foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables avoiding tobacco products and wearing mouth guards while playing certain sports. While that is undoubtedly a problem, there’s much more to good oral health. It’s a common misconception that consuming sugary foods and beverages is the only cause of tooth decay. Oral health problems early in life extend into adulthood and can be lifelong. The greater prevalence of childhood tooth decay in specific populations is not only an inequity but also a serious public health problem. However, people who have less formal education or lower incomes, marginalized ethnic and racial groups and those living in more rural areas, such as Appalachia, tend to have more oral health problems than others, and at younger ages. More than 40% of children have tooth decay when they start kindergarten. Cavities, or caries, are the most common chronic disease in kids – five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than environmental allergies, despite being preventable. Tooth decay affects children all across the U.S., but far too little attention is paid to how preventable and treatable it is. Oral health affects not only a person’s teeth but also overall well-being and quality of life.
According to the FDI World Dental Federation, oral health encompasses the proper functioning of the mouth, including one’s “ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions” without pain or discomfort.
While the terms dental hygiene and dental health are largely focused on the teeth and gums, oral health is more comprehensive. October is National Dental Hygiene Month, which provides an opportunity to draw more attention to this chronic but often preventable problem.
Some people or groups have considerably more oral health problems than others because of a combination of factors beyond personal dental hygiene.įor example, Appalachia – which stretches from the northern part of Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia up through the southern part of New York, and includes all of West Virginia – has one of the greatest burdens of oral health problems per person in the U.S.
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Marazita, Ph.D.īrushing your teeth is essential for maintaining optimal oral health, but like most aspects of health, the full story is more complicated.Īs directors of the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, we know firsthand that inequalities exist when it comes to oral health, including in children.
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