Low-income individuals struggle to maintain oral health

The recession has been devastating for many reasons. Thanks to high unemployment, millions of individuals have found themselves without dental insurance, which may increase their experiencing oral health problems like cavities, gum disease or bad breath.

In an effort to help the unemployed and individuals who have had to take pay cuts or decreases in benefits at work, many groups are leading efforts to lower the cost of dental care. In some cases these groups also offer services for free.

For example, the John F. Kennedy Medical Center Dental Clinic in Middlesex County, New Jersey recently announced that it offered free dental checkups and treatment to more than 1,000 low-income individuals last year, according to NJ.com.

The county is home to more than 40,000 households that earn less than $25,000 per year, making affordable oral health a vital lifeline for many residents, the news source reports.

Individual who cannot afford dental treatments may benefit from specialty breath freshening products. In addition to eliminating the causes of bad breath associated with lack of dental care, they may kill bacteria that can lead to cavities and other infections.