Poor oral health in children has many serious sequelae. Children with untreated caries may have difficulty chewing and may not take sufficient nutrients to grow and develop
to their potential. Without proper nutrition,and with the presence of oral pain, children may show difficulty with concentration and learning. Appearance may be affected by the discoloration of carious teeth, and permanent teeth may be poorly positioned
as a result of early tooth loss from decay. In addition, low self-esteem can also result from caries and tooth loss. Ultimately, untreated advanced caries can result in massive
infections that could lead to death. The tragic death of 12-year-old Deamonte Driver in 2007 brought national attention to the seriousness of untreated dental caries.