The Consequences
The economic and social consequences of oral pain, dental decay, and tooth loss are far-reaching and can result in social stigma.
There is mounting evidence of aggravating effects on systemic conditions due to poor oral health.
Oral pain can cause:
- Poor school performance in children
- Work loss in adults
- Difficulty chewing and inadequate nutrition
- Costly emergency department visits
Dental decay and tooth loss can lead to:
- Aesthetic and self-image issues
- Feeling worthless, unhappy and shy
- Costly restorations
- Systemic complications
Oral health problems intersect with and are exacerbated by the social determinants of health.
Bilateral Abscesses of the Upper Central Incisors
Child Under General Anesthesia Undergoing Dental Restoration
References
Guarnizo-Herreño CC, Wehby GL. Children's Dental Health, School Performance and Psychosocial Well-Being. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2012; 161(6):1153-1159.e2.
Shah AC, Leong KK, Lee MK, Allareddy V. Outcomes of Hospitalizations Attributed to Periapical Abscess from 2000 to 2008: A Longitudinal Trend Analysis. Journal of Endodontics, 2013; 39(9): 1104-1110.
Allareddy V1, Rampa S, Lee MK, Allareddy V, Nalliah RP. Hospital-based emergency department visits involving dental conditions: profile and predictors of poor outcomes and resource utilization. JADA, 2014. 145(4): 331-337.