HJAR May/Jun 2021

56 MAY / JUN 2021 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS DIALOGUE COLUMN ORAL HEALTH IF YOU WERE ASKED what the most prev- alent chronic disease worldwide is in both children and adults, would you have the right answer?Asurprise to many, it’s dental caries, better known as tooth decay. Yes, tooth decay equates as a disease, and remains the most common disease for adults and children around the globe, yet it is pre- ventable. 1 Dental caries has greatly decreased in the U.S. over the past four decades, but oral disease disparities remain among some population groups. 2 According to the World Dental Federation, approximately 3.5 billion people globally suffer from oral diseases. In Arkansas, 62% of adults feel life in gen- eral is less satisfying due to the condition of their teeth and mouth. Thirty-five percent of Arkansans avoid smiling due to the condition of their teeth, 28% of adults feel embarrassed ORAL HEALTH: AWindow into Overall Health about the appearance of their teeth and 27% report the appearance of their teeth affects their ability to interview for a job. 3 Comparing household incomes, 44% of low-income adults reduce their participation in social activities due to the condition of their teeth, compared to 14% in high-income adults. Twenty-four percent of low-income adults experience pain very often, as com- pared to 4% in middle-income adults and 3% in high-income adults. 4 As unfortunate as these statistics are, there is another aspect of oral health that deserves the attention of healthcare providers in all disciplines. Oral health status affects overall health a great deal. The biggest factor? Bac- teria. These microorganisms are the epide- miological agent. The destruction of teeth by the cariogenic process is curable if the teeth are treated early enough, before loss of tooth structure. Peri- odontitis, or gum disease, is the real culprit since it is the most common chronic inflam- matory disease in adults worldwide. 5 Gum disease is often silent until signs and symp- toms such as swollen and bleeding gums, mobile teeth, and spaces between teeth be- come noticeable. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflamma- tory process caused by persistent pathologic microbes, which feed on plaque and excrete acid. When bacteria are allowed to accumu- late, this pathological process triggers the body’s immune response, which leads to damage of the supporting structures of the teeth. Connective tissue is lost and bone in the oral cavity is destroyed. This periodon- tal condition is the leading cause of tooth