The Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health finds that poor Americans , especially children and seniors, suffer the most from inadequate dental and oral care. The report also says it's time to change the attitude that good dental care is just about good looks.
Oral health means more than sound teeth.
The report indicates that the oral health of the US has greatly improved over the last 50 years, but striking differences remain between those who have access to good dental care and those who don't. Signs of health trouble like nutritional deficiencies, immune system problems, and stress can be detected in the mouth, according to the report, and oral infections can often lead to greater health difficulties. See the entire SG's report.