• Untreated dental caries can result in pain; infection; tooth abscess or loss; altered
chewing, eating, and sleeping patterns; impaired growth/weight gain; edentulism
(i.e., total tooth loss); missed school days and negative effect on school performance;
emergency department visits; and diminished quality of life. Early tooth loss is
associated with speech difficulties, self-esteem issues, increased risk for caries in
permanent teeth, and malalignment and crowding of permanent teeth