Help stay mission ready by taking care of your teeth.

• Your dental health is critical to your readiness and deployability. Make sure to schedule required dental check-ups well before you deploy.
• Dental emergencies account for 15-20% of all diseases and non-battle injuries that degrade unit mission capabilities.
• Neglecting your dental health impacts your readiness and ability to deploy.

• Preventive dental care can prevent the onset of serious oral diseases.
  • Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning.
  • According to The Center for Disease Control, cavities, also called tooth decay, are one of the greatest unmet health treatment needs.
  • Mild gum disease can be controlled and treated with good oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning. More severe forms can also be treated successfully with consultation and treatment.
• Dental care isn’t just about kids – don’t put off your own care. Adults should get a dental cleaning every year to keep their mouth in good health.
• Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and annual dental checkups are all critical to sustain dental health.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and other forms of tobacco cause oral cancer, gum disease, and other oral health problems.

• Use of smokeless tobacco is associated with increased risks of oral cancer and can cause white or gray patches inside the mouth.
• Untreated tooth decay is higher in people who smoke cigarettes.
• Diabetes, tobacco use, a weakened immune system, and poor oral hygiene all increase a person’s risk for gum disease.