Oral Health
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Several resources are available to help you think about how to promote oral health, improve quality of life, and prevent disparities in oral diseases and conditions in your community. For information on preventing oral diseases and conditions (e.g., educational campaigns, provider training, self-care, integrated approaches to care, access to services and resources), please visit the following websites:
- Department of Health and Senior Services
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/oralhealth/ - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/ - National Maternal and Children’s Oral Health Resource Center
http://www.mchoralhealth.org - National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/ - American Dental Association
http://www.ada.org/ - Related Links
The lack of maintenance of oral health is associated with certain risk factors which predispose individuals to oral disease, many of which can be prevented or managed. Specifically, quitting use of tobacco, minimizing use of alcohol, and maintaining balanced eating patterns can help to prevent the deterioration of oral health. There are two main types of oral diseases: dental caries (tooth decay or cavities) and periodontal disease (gum disease). Other important and serious, but less common concerns include damage to the hard and soft palates, mucosal lining of mouth and throat, tongue, lips, salivary glands, chewing muscles, and upper and lower jaws.
Several of the risk factors associated with oral disease, as well as these other diseases that may be linked to a lack of oral health are described in Intervention MICA, along with specific intervention strategies. Intervention MICA provides information, tools and resources to help you plan and implement an intervention to improve oral health in your community
- Tobacco
- Nutrition
- Diabetes