ABSTRACT
Dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal (gum) diseases are the two most prevalent, but preventable, infectious oral health diseases in industrialized nations [1–6]. Although the prevalence and severity of dental caries in children and periodontal diseases in adults has been declining in developed countries over the last three decades [2], these diseases nevertheless remain major public health concerns and pose a substantial economic burden on Americans [1–6]. Among children, dental caries is the single most common chronic childhood disease [1,2]. As shown in Figure 6.1, dental caries among children still exceeds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2010 objectives [4,6]. Nearly 20% of young children, almost 80% of young adults, and approximately 95% of older adults have experienced tooth decay [2]. Older adults are at high risk of developing root caries and periodontal disease, both of which can lead to tooth loss [5]. The prevalence of periodontal disease increases with age, from 6% among persons aged 25 to 34 years to 41% among those aged 65 years and older [5]. About one-third of older adults (>65 years) have lost all of their natural teeth compared to 46% 20 years ago [1,5]. The nation’s total bill for dental services was estimated at $74 billion in 2003 [7].
