CNN: Oral Health “Vital” To Overall Health

CNN reported that “research is increasingly showing” that oral health is “vital” to overall health. “A prevailing opinion among the public for many years is that a tooth is just a tooth,” said ADA spokesperson Dr. Sally Cram. “Now we are understanding that when you have inflammation and disease in your mouth, the mouth is connected to your whole body, and inflammation can spread to the rest of the body.” CNN noted that “20% of low-income adults said their mouths and teeth were in bad condition, and 20% of all adults said their unhealthy mouths caused them anxiety,” according to the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute’s report, “Oral Health & Well-being in the United States.” Dr. Marko Vujicic, chief economist for HPI, who helped conduct the survey, noted that many Americans lack access to dental coverage and copays can be high even for those with coverage.