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How To Take Care of Your Oral Health

Problems with your teeth, gums, or other parts of the mouth can increase your risk of having some diseases or health conditions. Small steps, like seeing a dentist regularly for checkups, can help you protect your mouth and teeth and live well at any age.

The A Healthy Mouth for Every Body campaign offers a variety of materials to help you and your family take good care of your oral health.

Oral health topics

Pamplets related to oral health are presented in a fan-like order.

Educational materials

View educational materials on important ways to maintain good oral health, including proper brushing, flossing, and much more.

Explore and download free materials.

Facts

Around 46 percent of adults have periodontal disease.

Periodontal (gum) disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults. It affects about 46% of adults ages 30 or older; about 9% of adults have severe periodontal disease.1

Between 2015 and
2018, 13% of children
ages 5 to 19 in the
United States had
untreated cavities
in their teeth.2

1 in 4 adults
ages 20 to 64
currently has
cavities.3

In 2020, more than
54,000 new cases of
oral cancer were
diagnosed in the
United States, and
oral cancer led to
nearly 11,000 deaths.4

1. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (n.d.). Periodontal (Gum) Disease.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Dental Caries and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999–2004 to 2011–2016. Atlanta, GA: CDC, US Dept of Health and Human Services.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Adult Oral Health.

4. American Cancer Society (2021). Key Statistics for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers.

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