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1-1-1-Consequences of Poor Oral Health
Section Completed! Missing Teeth
Missing teeth make chewing and swallowing more difficult, which can limit food choices.
Challenging Responses
Teeth that are hurting can increase challenging responses.
Challenging responses may look like:
- Refusal to participate in oral care routines
- Becomming angry during oral care- see section Boredom, Types of Challenging Responses and Consider The Possible Cause for Challenging Responses for more information
Bad Breath
Bad breath due to poor oral hygiene can also reduce the ability to socialize.
Poor Smile
A smile showing broken, dirty, or missing teeth is embarrassing and reduces socialization.
Treatment
Oral infections are easily treated in the early stages of disease which avoids more serious outcomes and costs.
Examples of oral infections are:
- Decay
- Periodontal (gum) disease
Infection
Untreated oral diseases lead to serious infections that can also affect the rest of the body, such as infection of the lung (aspiration pneumonia) and infection of the heart (infective endocarditis).
Decay and Disease
Nursing home residents have on average 2 teeth with untreated cavities, and 1 in 4 adults over age 65 have severe gum disease.
Pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death among older adults. Learn more about aspiration pneumonia.
Blood Sugar
Approximately 95% of Americans who have diabetes also have periodontal disease (inflammation of gums and bones), making it more difficult to control their blood sugar.
Pain
Common consequences of poor oral health are pain and infection in the area of the infected tooth which may require immediate care.
