The impacts listed above are related to dental problems that are easily prevented, such as poor oral hygiene or poor diet. Many of these impacts can be avoided by investing in a fluoride supplement and addressing issues like decay early on.
Dental health is something that we should all be aware of
Common Diseases
It is one of the most common diseases, affecting 60-90% of the population in industrialized countries. There are many ways to prevent tooth decay, one of which involves taking regular fluoride supplements. Between 25 and 35% of adults in the United States have some form of anxiety or depression, which often has its root in unresolved oral health issues or past trauma due to a bad oral experience – such as childhood abuse, physical or emotional abuse, or experiencing a traumatic event that involved dental care (such as an accident in an emergency room). The consequences of poor oral health are significant, as many spend a considerable amount or time (such as dental treatment) or money on getting their teeth fixed or taken care of (which is often expensive).
Associated
Poor oral health is associated with increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Infection from untreated dental problems can expose people to serious illnesses and even death. Dental problems can lead to social isolation due to embarrassment and pain of the condition. Dental conditions can also cause difficulty for the sufferer during eating. Children who do not receive proper dental care during childhood can often experience some level of pain and discomfort into adulthood, due to permanent loss of teeth.
Discomfort
Dental problems can lead to substance abuse. Some people try to self-medicate with alcohol and/or illicit drugs, because of the pain and discomfort that comes from dental problems.
Stress
Dental problems can lead to stress and anxiety, especially if you did not ask for help early in the problem, as some conditions require considerable time and attention from a dentist or other specialist.
Work Properly
Dental problems can impact a person's ability to work properly, either due to frequent absences because of pain or embarrassment over treatment or because of physical limitations caused by the condition itself.
If a person's dental problem is causing them to not be able to properly take care of their children or themselves, it can cause additional stress or physical constraints on their ability to do the things that they need or want to do. Oral bacteria can spread to internal organs, causing serious and sometimes life-threatening infections.
When not treated early, dental problems can lead to other health issues that are both more difficult and expensive to treat, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Poor oral health can lead to social isolation and depression due to embarrassment and pain from the condition(s). Dental problems can affect work performance because of time missed and/or increased time to complete tasks.
Physical Discomfort
Dental problems can cause physical discomfort, which can also lead to a decreased ability to concentrate. Untreated dental problems can lead to serious infections and disease in internal organs.
If left untreated, dental issues can cause teeth to fall out, which may or may not be preventable depending on the person’s age and other characteristics such as overall health status or environmental conditions (such as exposure to active or passive cigarette smoke).
The pain and discomfort associated with untreated dental problems can cause poor quality of sleep.The pain and discomfort can also impact a person’s ability to participate fully in life, work, and/or school.
