This need is even greater for members of some racial and ethnic groups—about 3 in 4 Hispanics and non-Hispanic Black adults have an unmet need for dental treatment, as do people with lower incomes.1 These individuals are also more likely to report having poor oral health. The WHO Oral Health Programme leads the work on setting the global oral health policy agenda in close collaboration with member states and other key stakeholders. Recent momentum has led to the development of key policy documents to support countries in moving towards universal health coverage for oral health by 2030. These include the Global strategy on oral health, the Global oral health action plan and the Global oral health status report. Oral diseases disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. People of low socioeconomic status carry a higher burden of oral diseases and this association remains across the life course, from early childhood to older age, and regardless of the country’s overall income level.
Oral health is an important aspect of overall well-being that often gets overlooked. Many people underestimate the significance of maintaining good oral hygiene, but the truth is that poor oral health can lead to a variety of issues beyond just cavities and bad breath.
Consequently, older adults relying on Medicare for health insurance incur substantial out-of-pocket expenses for dental services. More than 40% of dental expenses are paid out of pocket, compared to only 9% of medical expenses for Medicare-enrolled older adults (Kreider et al. 2015). Fewer than half of Medicare beneficiaries (49%) had a dental visit within the past 12 months.
Dr Heather Leggett is an applied health services research fellow at the Clinical Trials Unit, The University of York. Dr Leggett also co-leads a Qualitative Research Network at the University of York. Dr Leggett is a qualitative researcher with experience in oral health, orthopedics, medical education and primary education. Heather has previously led qualitative research exploring barriers to prevention in oral healthcare across 6 European countries and been involved in the development of cross-country validated questionnaires on attitudes to prevention in oral healthcare. More recently she has worked on the delivery of a mouth care intervention to hospitalized elderly patients to prevent hospital acquired pneumonia.
The Importance of Oral Health
The sugars from soft drinks and non-nutritional foods combine with the bacteria in our mouths which produces acids that attack tooth enamel. Limiting beverages and foods that are high in sugar can greatly help to maintain good dental health. This regional summary draws on WHO’s Global oral health status report, published in 2022, which provides a comprehensive overview of the global oral… The GOHSR is part of WHO’s series of data reports and an important milestone in the larger process of mobilizing political action and resources for oral health. Oral health is not all about teeth – it’s important to keep an eye on your gums and tongue as well.
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Good oral health is essential for preventing gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems. It also plays a role in your overall health, as poor oral hygiene has been linked to serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Taking care of your teeth and gums can help prevent these issues and keep you feeling your best.
Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Health
There are several simple steps you can take to improve your oral health. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist for check-ups are all important habits to develop. Additionally, eating a healthy diet low in sugar and avoiding tobacco products can help keep your mouth healthy.
Dental, periodontal, and mucosal diseases typically are chronic in nature and tend to accumulate during a lifetime. However, these clinically derived measures fail to capture how patients experience both disease processes and treatment. Each person’s perception of well-being, pain, physical function—their quality of life—varies based on personal and sociocultural factors (Baiju et al. 2017). Listl and colleagues (2019) note that poor oral health can limit both the ability to secure employment and workplace productivity.
By prioritizing your oral health and taking proactive steps to care for your teeth and gums, you can enjoy a healthier smile and reduce your risk of developing serious health issues down the road. Remember, a little effort now can go a long way in preserving your overall well-being.
