Oral Health Facts

· The most common oral diseases are dental cavities and periodontal (gum) disease.

· 60-90% of school children worldwide have dental cavities.

· Severe periodontal (gum) disease, which may result in tooth loss, is found in 5-20% of middle-aged adults; the rate varies across geographical regions.

· Incidence of oral cancer ranges from one to 10 cases per 100 000 population in most countries.

· Birth defects such as cleft lip and palate occur in around one per 500-700 of all births; the birth prevalence rate varies substantially across ethnic groups and geographical areas.

· 40-50% of people who are HIV-positive have oral fungal, bacterial or viral infections, which often occur early in the course of HIV infection.

· Traditional curative dental care is a significant economic burden for may high-income countries, where 5-10% of public health expenditure relates to oral health.

Periodontal, or gum, disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults and has been connected to the development of heart disease and increased risk of stroke, and can contribute to complications from diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis. “Millions of adults already suffer from periodontal disease”, says De Susan Karabin, DDS, President of the AAP.