Imagine a health problem that affects as many as 3.5 billion people worldwide, or almost half the global population. Sounds like a pandemic? Unfortunately, that’s what you could call it, because the World Health Organization has recognized oral diseases as one of the greatest public health challenges of our time.

SEE ALSO: How to care for your teeth? 10 steps to a healthy smile and effective protection against tooth decay

In 2023, WHO published a landmark document: “Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health 2023-2030.” This is the most comprehensive approach to oral health in WHO’s history. Why is this so important for you and your family? Let’s take a closer look.

Surprising facts: the problem is bigger than you think

Oral diseases: a silent global crisis

Tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss may seem like minor problems compared with heart disease or cancer. Nothing could be further from the truth! According to WHO data, as many as 45% of the world’s population suffer from at least one of the major oral diseases – tooth decay, periodontitis, or complete tooth loss. This means that almost half of the world’s population is affected by these problems, and this rate is higher than for any other noncommunicable disease [1].

What does this mean in practice?

• Untreated decay in permanent teeth affects 2.3 billion people.
• More than 530 million children suffer from untreated decay in their baby teeth.
• Gum diseases affect hundreds of millions of people, leading to tooth loss.
• Oral cancers cause around 180,000 deaths each year and are the 16th most common type of cancer worldwide.

The impact of oral diseases on everyday life – more than just a toothache

Oral health problems are more than just physical discomfort. Their effects reach much further:

• concentration problems - it’s hard to focus on work or studying when dental problems are bothering you,
• absence from school and work - oral diseases are one of the causes of absence,
• social isolation – dental problems affect self-esteem and discourage social interaction,
• limited ability to eat – healthy teeth are essential for eating properly.

SEE ALSO: Oral hygiene – key principles for healthy teeth

“Oral health is essential for eating, breathing, and speaking; it affects overall health and the ability to participate fully in social life,” the WHO report states.

The huge costs of treating oral diseases

Oral diseases are also a huge financial burden. Global spending on dental treatment is around 387 billion dollars a year, or about 1.5 trillion zlotys [2] – enough to:

• fund the construction of 150 modern hospitals,
• provide basic health care to 1.5 billion people in developing countries,
• buy toothbrushes and toothpaste for every person on Earth for 10 years.

The worst part is that most of these costs could be avoided through proper prevention and early treatment, which are many times cheaper than treating advanced conditions.

The surprising link between oral health and overall health 

More and more studies confirm that oral health has a direct impact on the health of the entire body [3]. Poor oral hygiene has been scientifically proven to be linked to:

• cardiovascular disease – bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and contribute to the development of heart disease [4],
• diabetes – there is a link between periodontal disease and diabetes [5],
• cancer – some oral infections increase the risk of certain cancers [6],
• pneumonia – bacteria from the mouth can be inhaled into the lungs with the air and cause infections. This is especially common in older adults due to a weakened swallowing reflex, lower immunity, and more frequent problems with oral hygiene [7],
• premature birth – periodontal disease during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of complications [8].

A new approach to dental health 

The WHO is calling for an urgent change in how we think about oral health – instead of focusing mainly on treatment, we should prioritize prevention.

In Poland, this means expanding the range of preventive services available through the National Health Fund (NFZ). General practitioners should regularly check their patients’ oral health and refer them to a dentist in good time. The main goal is to make preventive dental care an integral part of general healthcare.

SEE ALSO: How to care for your oral hygiene after an illness? Tips for a successful recovery

“Most oral diseases are largely preventable and can be treated with simple, non-invasive procedures at the primary care level,” the WHO report emphasizes.

What really harms your teeth?

The WHO emphasizes that there are shared risk factors linking oral health problems with heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and chronic lung diseases. These are:

1. smoking - harms not only the lungs, but also the gums and teeth, leading to periodontal disease and increasing the risk of oral cancer,
2. excessive alcohol consumption - in addition to damaging the liver and brain, alcohol dries out the mouth, encourages bacterial growth and increases the risk of oral cancer,
3. a diet high in sugar - not only the main cause of tooth decay, but also a risk factor for obesity, diabetes and heart disease,
4. unhealthy eating habits - including introducing sugary drinks too early and bottle-feeding with sweet liquids, which can lead to both early childhood tooth decay and lifelong unhealthy eating habits.

Oral health inequalities - who suffers the most?

Oral diseases disproportionately affect people who are poor, vulnerable and/or marginalized, including:

• people on low incomes,
• people with disabilities,
• older people living alone or in care homes,
• refugees,
• people in prison,
• residents of remote and rural communities,
• people from minority and/or other marginalized social groups.

There is a strong and consistent link between socioeconomic status and the prevalence and severity of oral diseases. This means these problems are not simply a matter of individual choices, but have deep social and economic roots.

The WHO’s global strategy for 2023-2030 is the first step toward a revolution in the approach to oral health. Instead of focusing on treating the consequences, global experts are proposing systemic solutions focused on prevention and access to basic dental care for all.

SEE ALSO: Choosing the right oral care products. Why is it so important?

In the second part of the article, we’ll take a look at specific innovations and technological solutions that are part of this strategy. We’ll show how modern products, such as advanced ZENT® Dental Care electric toothbrushes, water flossers, and UV disinfection systems address global challenges in oral health. You’ll also learn what steps you can take today to keep your teeth healthy for years to come.

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REFERENCES:

1. Global oral health status report: towards universal health coverage for oral health by 2030. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022.

2. Righolt AJ, Jevdjevic M, Marcenes W, Listl S. Global-, Regional-, and Country-Level Economic Impacts of Dental Diseases in 2015. J Dent Res. 2018;97(5):501-507.

3. Fiorillo L. Oral Health: The First Step to Well-Being. Medicina. 2019;55(10):676. 

4. Vanwormer JJ, et al. Oral hygiene, quality of life, and risk of heart failure. Frontiers in Oral Health. 2025.

5. Chang Y, et al. Improved oral hygiene is associated with decreased risk of new-onset diabetes: a nationwide population-based cohort study. Diabetologia. 2020;87.

6. Deng Q, et al. A composite oral hygiene score and the risk of oral cancer and its subtypes: a large-scale propensity score-based study. Clinical Oral Investigations. 2021.

7. Ali K. Association Between Poor Oral Hygiene and Respiratory Infections in Elderly Populations: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Health, Wellness and Community Research. 2025.

8. Uwambaye P, et al. Assessing the association between periodontitis and premature birth: a case-control study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2020;24.