How To Take Care of Your Oral Health

Problems with your teeth, gums, or other parts of the mouth can increase your risk of having some diseases or health conditions. Small steps, like seeing a dentist regularly for checkups, can help you protect your mouth and teeth and live well at any age.

The A Healthy Mouth for Every Body campaign offers a variety of materials to help you and your family take good care of your oral health.

Oral health topics

Oral health for adults

Maintaining good oral health affects your well-being and quality of life.

Explore ways to maintain good oral health.

Oral health for young children

Having good oral health early in life sets your child up for good oral health as they grow.

Learn best practices for caring for your child's oral health.

Dry mouth

Having dry mouth all or most of the time is not only uncomfortable—it can lead to serious health problems.

Explore causes of dry mouth and treatment options.

People with HIV

Good oral health is an important part of managing HIV and your overall health. Make oral health care a regular part of taking care of yourself.

Learn ways to care for your oral health if you're living with HIV.

Child standing in front of an open refrigerator holding bottled water.

Oral health and nutrition

Consuming healthy foods and drinks can help you maintain good oral health.

Find out how nutrition affects your oral health and overall health.

Child laying her head on a mother's pregnant stomach.

Oral health and pregnancy

Maintaining good oral health is important during pregnancy or if you're planning a pregnancy.

Learn how to take care of your oral health while pregnant.

Educational and promotional resources

View educational resources on the important ways to maintain good oral health. Use these free outreach tools to help spread the word.

Explore and download free materials and outreach tools.

Facts

Around 46 percent of adults have periodontal disease.

Periodontal (gum) disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults. It affects about 46% of adults ages 30 or older; about 9% of adults have severe periodontal disease.¹

Between 2015 and
2018, 13% of children
ages 5 to 19 in the
United States had
untreated cavities
in their teeth.²

1 in 4 adults
ages 20 to 64
currently has
cavities.³

In 2020, more than
54,000 new cases of
oral cancer were
diagnosed in the
United States, and
oral cancer led to
nearly 11,000 deaths.⁴

1. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (n.d.). Periodontal (Gum) Disease.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Dental Caries and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999–2004 to 2011–2016. Atlanta, GA: CDC, US Dept of Health and Human Services.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Adult Oral Health.

4. American Cancer Society (2021). Key Statistics for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers.

Date Last Reviewed:

July 2024

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