Understanding Oral Health

Oral health impacts overall health and wellbeing throughout all life stages, starting with special considerations during pregnancy, recommended habits during adolescence, and additional practices for older adults. Reputable organizations and government agencies regularly provide trustworthy data and research on the current state of oral health in the United States, the importance of access to preventative oral healthcare, and the benefits of following good oral health practices.

Learn more about the basics of oral health, public health recommendations on best practices for oral health, and review data snapshots about how oral health impacts various populations and age groups. 

Women, Infants and Children <5

CDC - Pregnancy and Oral Health     

2022 - National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center. Promoting Oral Health in Young Children: A Resource   Guide     

2021 - National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center. Promoting Oral Health During Pregnancy    

2020 - American Academy of Pediatrics.  Healthy Children: Good Oral Health Starts Early     

2016 -  Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing. Oral Health in Pregnancy    

Children and Adolescents

CDC - Children's Oral Health: Data   and tips for parents to help them protect their children's teeth  

CDC - Children's Oral Health: Overview

American Academy of Pediatric   Dentistry. My Children's Teeth      

2020 - American Academy of Pediatrics.   Healthy Children - Fluoride for Children: FAQs

2020 - American Academy of Pediatrics.   Healthy Children - Healthy Teeth and Your Child's Diet 

2020 - National Conference of State Legislatures. Children's Oral Health        

2015 - American Academy of Pediatrics.  Healthy Children: Dental Health & Hygiene for Young Children 

2015 - American Academy of Pediatrics.   Healthy Children - Flouride Varnish: What Parents Need to Know 

2013 - American Academy of Pediatrics. Healthy Children: Dental Sealants for   Children  

2011 - American Academy of Pediatrics. Healthy Children: Diet Tips to Prevent Dental Problems                      

Working Age Adults 

CDC - Basics of Oral Health     

CDC - Facts About Adults Oral Health: Data and tips for adults on how to maintain a healthy mouth    

CDC - Disparities in Oral Health: Information on cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer   

ADA - Nutrition and Oral Health    

WHO - Oral Health Fact Sheet

WHO -  Sugars and dental caries

2021 - NIH. Oral Health in America. Advances and Challenges

2021 - CDC. Oral Health Behaviors and Availability of Dental Services Among Children and Adults

2015 - Public Health Reports. U.S. Public Health Service Recommendation for Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water for the Prevention of Dental Caries.                       

2013 -   Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: oral health and nutrition     

1996 - Department of Dental Ecology, School of Dentistry,   University of North Carolina. Measuring Oral   Health and Quality of Life     

Older Adults 

CDC - Facts About Older Adult Oral Health: Data and tips for older adults to maintain a healthy mouth   

Women, Infants and Children <5

2019 - Indian Health Service Data Brief. The Oral Health of American Indian and Alaska Native Children   Aged 1-5 Years: Results of the 2018-2019 IHS Oral Health Survey     

Children and Adolescents

2021   - NCHS Data Brief. Dental Care Utilization Among Children Aged 1-17 Years:   United States, 2019 and 2020   

2018 - NCHS Data Brief. Prevalence   of Total and Untreated Dental Caries Among Youth: United States,   2015-2016    

2017 - Indian Health Service Data Brief. The Oral Health of American Indian and Alaska Native Children   Aged 6-9 Years: Results of the 2016-2017 HIS Oral Health Survey     

Working Age Adults 

2015-2016 NIH. Prevalence of Total   and Untreated Dental Caries Among Youth: United States, 2015-2016   

2011-2012 NCHS Data Brief. Dental caries and tooth loss in adults in the United States, 2011-2012   

2005-2008 NCHS Data Brief. Selected oral health indicators in the United States, 2005-2008    

1999-2004 to 2011-2016 - CDC Oral Health Surveillance Report. Trends in Dental Caries and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States    

Older Adults

2021 - NIH National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Older Adults and Oral Health  

2011-2014 CDC. Prevalence of Edentualism in Adults Aged>65 years, by Age Group and Race/Hispanic Origin - National Health and  Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2014