ORAL HEALTH 

THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HEALTH

Oral health encompasses the diligent maintenance of a clean mouth and the prevention of disease within it. This entails caring for gums, teeth, and the entirety of the oral cavity through regular brushing, flossing, and hygiene practices. Such conscientious upkeep serves as a shield against gum diseases, tooth decay, and the onset of unpleasant breath.
Oral health is important for more than simply having a beautiful smile; it is vital for one's overall health. Maintaining good dental hygiene assists in managing the bacterial ecology in the mouth and prevents infections that could otherwise enter the body. Maintaining good dental health is not only a defense against dental diseases but also a preventative measure in reducing the emergence of more serious medical disorders that may arise as a result of oral infections. Consequently, maintaining good oral health is essential for upholding oral hygiene and general physical wellness.
How Oral Health Impacts Seniors

​Although State Medicaid has made significant improvements to low-income individuals and families' access to dental care, despite the limitations of state health insurance, more individuals need dental care. According to the National Association of Dental Plans, an estimation of 74 million Americans do not have dental coverage - nearly twice the amount of individuals without health insurance. Studies from the American Dental Association reveal that more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases have oral manifestations. Americans need dental coverage, however, oral health is constantly left out of conversation during national health care debates. Many Americans are not able to access preventative programs or even have access to state Medicaid. Surely, the people who have the least access to preventive services and dental care have greater rates of acquiring oral diseases and according to recent studies, 51% of the adult U.S. population lists that oral health as their greatest health concern. Our national oral health care system is failing the majority of Americans.

Taking care of your oral health is a necessity. Neglecting oral hygiene can lead to cardiovascular disease, oral cancers, diabetes, a stroke, adverse pregnancy outcomes, lung conditions, and many more diseases. Since the mouth is the access to the human body, it is important that it is treated with the right care. 
The Oral Health Progress and Equity Network (OPEN) knows that oral health is vital to overall health, yet there are barriers in place, which, like locked doors, prevent people from optimal health. OPEN won’t stand for this failure to live up to our ideals as a nation by leaving people to unjustly and unnecessarily suffer from preventable oral health issues. They catalyze a network to take on America’s oral health challenges so that everyone has an equitable chance to thrive. They won’t stop until everyone has the keys they need to fully access good oral health.
​ORAL HEALTH ARTICLES
Major National Survey Reveals Impending Spike in Oral Health Needs​
https://www.newmouth.com/dentistry/family/seniors/
https://www.newmouth.com/dentistry/cosmetic/veneers/
https://www.newmouth.com/dentistry/cosmetic/veneers/cost/​​
​https://www.dentaquestpartnership.org/learn/morecare/phase-one
http://www.politico.com/sponsor-content/2019/12/confronting-the-nations-oral-health-crisis?cid=201912li
justiceinaging.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/...
​DQA Oral Healthcare Quality Reports​