What is included in the Burden of Oral Disease Reports for Nevada?
The reports summarize the most current information available on the oral disease burden of people in Nevada. When available, comparisons are made with national data and the Healthy People goals. Several barriers hinder the ability of some Nevadans to attain optimal oral health. The Burden of Oral Disease reports attempt to identify racial/ethnic, socio-economic as well as geographic discrepancies in disease prevalence and disparities in access to oral disease prevention and treatment resources.
Oral Health is an essential and integral component of overall health and is much more than just healthy teeth. Good oral health not only means being free of tooth decay and gum disease, but it also means being free of chronic oral pain, oral cancer, birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, and other conditions that affect the mouth and throat. Oral Health is intimately related to the health of the rest of the body. Mounting evidence suggests that infections in the mouth such as periodontal (gum) diseases may increase the risk of heart disease, may put pregnant women at greater risk of premature delivery, and may complicate control of blood sugar for people living with diabetes. In addition, changes in the mouth often are the first signs of problems elsewhere in the body, such as infectious disease, immune disorders, nutritional deficiencies and cancers.
The Burden of Oral Disease in Nevada - Historical Reports