More than 1 in 4 U.S. adults (26%) have untreated dental cavities, according to oral health data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition, nearly half (46 percent) of adults 30 and older have signs of gum disease, and 13 percent of youths ages 5 to 19 have untreated tooth decay.

Worldwide, untreated cavities (also called caries) are the most common oral health issue, affecting more than 2 billion people, and severe gum disease affects about 1 billion people, according to a new report on oral health from the World Health Organization. Calling the global situation “alarming,” WHO officials say nearly half of the world’s population has untreated oral diseases, and that these illnesses affect more people worldwide than mental disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancers combined.

Dr. Parul D. Makkar joins us today to tell us more about these statistics. She is the founder of P.D.M Family Dental on Long Island, New York. Since losing her younger sibling (and fellow dentist) Dr. Manu Dua to oral cancer, Dr. Makkar devotes her time to educating doctors and patients alike about risk factors, prevention, and advocating for early diagnosis.  Dr. Makkar has also co-authored of the book 'Life Interrupted, Dr. Dua's Survival Guide' which is a winner of the CIPA EVVY Award for Motivational/Inspirational books.