How Dental Health Affects Overall Health at Every Age
Across the lifespan, there is a strong connection between dental health and overall health. But the nature of that connection — the specific challenges and risks — changes over time. An infographic from CareQuest Institute summarizes research on these connections, from pregnancy through older adulthood.
Key points include:
- Periodontal treatment during pregnancy is linked to lower risk of infant mortality, preterm birth, and low birth weight.
- Early childhood caries (cavities) and its associated pain are linked to negative impacts on play, school, sleeping, eating, and overall well-being.
- Older adults with fewer than 20 teeth are more likely to experience greater overall disability and cognitive decline.
You may also be interested in:
- A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Oral Health Care Spending over the Life Span in Commercial- and Medicaid-Insured Populations, an article in the Journal of the American Dental Association that features one of the most comprehensive life course analyses of spending on oral health care.
- Cost, Race, and the Persistent Challenges in Our Oral Health System, a report that summarizes findings from our nationally representative, annual survey on oral health takes a deep dive into factors that contribute to oral health disparities.
- Beyond a Nice Smile, an infographic that explains the importance of oral health for the overall health of older adults.
