Poverty and oral health are closely related in that malnutrition and lack of a proper diet often lead to poor dental hygiene and related health problems with lifelong effects.

Oral health is a determinant factor for quality of life, essential for well-being, and an integral part of general health. Oral diseases are easily preventable with a healthy diet, regular dental checkups, and routine personal oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, gargling with a mouthwash, interdental cleaning, and chewing sugar-free gum when on the move.

The most common oral health problems are dental cavities, periodontal (gum) disease, oral cancer, oral infectious diseases, trauma from injuries, and hereditary lesions. Worldwide, 60 to 90 percent of school children and nearly 100 percent of adults have dental ...