Impact of untreated dental caries
Untreated dental disease may result in:
- Pain
- Impaired chewing and nutrition
- Infection
- Increased caries in other teeth
- School/work absences
- Poorer school performance: Students with dental pain are 3x more likely to have a low grade point average
- Difficulty sleeping
- Poor self-esteem
- Extensive and expensive dental work which often must be completed under general anesthesia
These sequalae are discussed in detail in the Smiles for Life Child, Adult, and Geriatric Oral Health modules.
References:
White, B. A., Monopoli, M. P., & Souza, B. S. Catalyst Institute. The Oral Health of Massachusetts' Children. January, 2008.
Jackson, S. L., et al. Impact of Poor Oral Health on Children's School Attendance and Performance. Am J Public Health. 2011;101(10):1900-6.
Seirawan, H., et al. The impact of oral health on the academic performance of disadvantaged children. Am J Public Health. 2012 102(9): 1729-34.
Martins-Júnior P. A., et al. Impact of early childhood caries on the oral health-related quality of life of preschool children and their parents. Caries Res. 2013; 47(3): 211-8.