Oral Health

Stan and Clarence chat with Dr. Shiela Riggs and Nancy Franke Wilson about all things oral health. Listen in to learn more.

Brought to you in support by Hue-MAN, who is Creating Healthy Communities through Innovative Partnerships. More about their work can found at http://huemanpartnership.org/

Sheila Riggs

Sheila Riggs, DDS, MS, DMSc, is an academic and policy leader with an established record in developing and implementing innovative results through a balanced portfolio of peer-reviewed research and hands-on community engagement.
She has navigated a uniquely influential career as a dentist, epidemiologist, academic, corporate executive, and policy advocate.
Riggs is the chair of the Department of Primary Dental Care at the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry. She also serves on the Community Engagement team for the University’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Riggs is passionate about removing barriers to care and improving the oral health care of all Minnesotans.
Accomplishments:

Founder, “Get to Yes with DHS” work group
2016 Distinguished Alumni Awardee, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Chair, Board of Directors of Hennepin Health System
Board member, Cargill Foundation
Board member, Minnesota Hospital Association

Nancy Franke Wilson

Nancy’s background includes managing US Department of Transportation and US Department of Justice funding and programs for the State of Minnesota, fifteen years consulting experience in the areas of public policy, communications, organizational development and fundraising/grants.
Her client list includes the Center for Alcohol Policy, North Memorial Hospital, Hennepin County Medical Center, Think Small, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, several counties and cities, LOGIS, and is a preferred vendor with the State of Minnesota. Nancy started and was the first Co-Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (MBTFE) The MBFTE was first agency in the United States to license firefighters.
Nancy holds a Master of Science in Health Science & Public Administration. She is a prolific public speaker and trainer. She is a yogi and also a long-time student of the French language at Alliance Française of the Twin Cities.

Research

CDC-- Oral Health Basics

Children

More than half of children aged 6 to 8 have had a cavity in at least one of their baby (primary) teeth.
More than half of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have had a cavity in at least one of their permanent teeth.
Children aged 5 to 19 years from low-income families are twice as likely (25%) to have cavities, compared with children from higher-income households (11%).
Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t.
For Babies

Wipe gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth in the morning after the first feeding and right before bed to wipe away bacteria and sugars that can cause cavities.
When teeth come in, start brushing twice a day with a soft, small‑bristled toothbrush and plain water.
Visit the dentist by your baby’s first birthday to spot signs of problems early.
Talk to your dentist or doctor about putting fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears.

For Children

Brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Help your child brush their teeth until they have good brushing skills.
If your child is younger than 6, watch them brush. Make sure they use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and always spit it out rather than swallow.
Ask your child’s dentist to apply dental sealants when appropriate.
Drink tap water that contains fluoride.

Risk factors for cavities

Family members (older brothers, sisters, or parents) have cavities.
They eat and drink a lot of sugary foods and drinks, like soda, especially between meals.
They have special health care needs.
They wear braces or orthodontics or oral appliances.

Adult

Untreated cavities. More than 1 in 4 (26%) adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay.3

Adults who are low-income, have less than a high school education, non-Hispanic Black, and current smokers are 2 times more likely to have untreated cavities than comparison groups.3

Gum disease. Nearly half (46%) of all adults aged 30 years or older show signs of gum disease; severe gum disease affects about 9% of adults.4
Tooth loss. If left untreated, cavities and periodontal (gum) disease lead to tooth loss. Severe tooth loss—having 8 or fewer teeth—impacts the ability to eat meats, fruits, and vegetables, and presents yet another challenge to having a healthy diet. Certain chronic conditions are associated with severe tooth loss, which can diminish quality of life and interfere with eating healthy foods.5

Complete tooth loss (edentulism) among adults aged 20-64 years has declined over time, but disparities exist among some population groups.6
The percentage of adults who have lost all their teeth remains higher (6%) among people who are low-income and current smokers, compared to about 1% among those who are higher-income or who have never smoked.3

Oral cancer. Oral cancers are most common in older adults, particularly in people older than 55 years who smoke and are heavy drinkers.7

People treated for cancer who have chemotherapy may suffer from oral problems such as painful mouth ulcers, impaired taste, and dry mouth.

Chronic diseases. Having a chronic disease, such as arthritis, heart disease or stroke, diabetes, emphysema, hepatitis C, a liver condition, or being obese may increase an individual’s risk of having missing teeth and poor oral health.1

Patients with weakened immune systems, such as those infected with HIV and other medical conditions (organ transplants) and who use some medications (e.g., steroids) are at higher risk for some oral problems.2
Chronic disabling diseases such as jaw joint diseases (TMD), autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s Syndrome, and osteoporosis affect millions of Americans and compromise oral health and functioning, more often among women.2

What about oral health in pregnant people?

How important is it? What are the risks if not addressed?

Older Adult

Similar to risks for adults above

Disparities

Can’t afford to pay out of pocket for dental care, do not have private or public dental insurance, or can’t get time off from work to get to dental care.
Live in communities where they don’t have access to fluoridated water and school sealant programs, healthy foods, and public transportation to get to dental appointments.
Medicaid programs are not required to provide dental benefits to adult enrollees, so dental coverage varies widely from state to state. Currently, 15 states provide no coverage or only emergency coverage.
Among working-age US adults, over 40% of low-income and non-Hispanic Black adults have untreated tooth decay.8 Untreated oral disease has a large impact on quality of life and productivity:

Over 34 million school hours were lost in the United States in 2008 because of unplanned urgent dental care.
Over $45 billion is lost in productivity in the United States each year because of untreated oral disease.
Nearly 18% of all working-age adults, and 29% of those with lower incomes, report that the appearance of their mouth and teeth affects their ability to interview for a job.

Oral Health Diseases

Gum disease
Oral cancer

Mayo Clinic-- Dental Health

What conditions are linked to oral health?

Endocarditis. This infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves (endocardium) typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to certain areas in your heart.
Cardiovascular disease. Although the connection is not fully understood, some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
Pregnancy and birth complications. Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
Pneumonia. Certain bacteria in your mouth can be pulled into your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
Diabetes. By reducing the body's resistance to infection, diabetes puts your gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes.
Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels. Regular periodontal care can improve diabetes control.
HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
Osteoporosis. This bone-weakening disease is linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss. Certain drugs used to treat osteoporosis carry a small risk of damage to the bones of the jaw.
Alzheimer's disease. Worsening oral health is seen as Alzheimer's disease progresses.

How can I protect my oral health?

Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.
Floss daily.
Use mouthwash to remove food particles left after brushing and flossing.
Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary food and drinks.
Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if bristles are splayed or worn.
Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings.
Avoid tobacco use.

WHO-- Oral Health Fact Sheet

Oral diseases, while largely preventable, pose a major health burden for many countries and affect people throughout their lifetime, causing pain, discomfort, disfigurement and even death.
It is estimated that oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people.
Untreated dental caries (tooth decay) in permanent teeth is the most common health condition according to the Global Burden of Disease 2019.
Treatment for oral health conditions is expensive and usually not part of universal health coverage (UHC).
Most low- and middle-income countries are unable to provide services to prevent and treat oral health conditions.
Oral diseases are caused by a range of modifiable risk factors, including sugar consumption, tobacco use, alcohol use and poor hygiene, and their underlying social and commercial determinants.

Mouth Healthy-- Oral Health

Video on oral health

Good oral health is important no matter what age
What does a visit to the dentist look like?
What are we trying to prevent?
Preventative care is key in dental care

Regular check ups at the dentist

HealthLine-- Dental and Oral Health

General facts

between 60 and 90 percent of school children have at least one dental cavity
nearly 100 percent of adults have at least one dental cavity
between 15 and 20 percent of adults ages 35 to 44 have severe gum disease
about 30 percent of people around the world ages 65 to 74 don’t have any natural teeth left
in most countries, out of every 100,000 people, there are between 1 and 10 cases of oral cancer
the burden of oral disease is much higher in poor or disadvantaged population groups