Systemic Impacts of Dental Caries on the General Health of Adults: A Literature Review.

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries remains the most prevalent non-communicable oral disease worldwide, with significant physical, psychosocial, and socioeconomic repercussions. In adults, the condition is strongly associated with health inequities and social exclusion. Objective: To analyze the multidimensional impact of dental caries in adults, emphasizing its clinical, psychological, and socioeconomic consequences, as well as access and management barriers within the context of Brazilian public health. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies and reference scientific publications in the fields of dentistry and public health. Results: The findings show that dental caries causes chronic pain, nutritional impairment, aesthetic damage, and social stigmatization. The disease disproportionately affects socially vulnerable groups, and access to adequate dental treatment remains limited due to structural inequalities. Early diagnosis, health education, and the development of integrated public policies are crucial strategies for effective management. Conclusion: Dental caries should be understood as a multifactorial disease that requires an integrated, person-centered approach, combining clinical interventions with actions targeting the social determinants of health, in order to improve quality of life and reduce health inequities.