1 in 2 Americans Suffer From This: Are You One of Them?
Fifty percent of American adults age 30 and older (one in every two adults) have some form of periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease, which is caused when bacteria in plaque below the gum line leads to swelling, irritation, and possibly receding gums and tooth loss. Along with brushing teeth twice a day and receiving an annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation, I can tell you the simple act of daily flossing is a critical—but often overlooked—step in periodontal disease prevention. In fact, a new survey just revealed that more than a quarter (27 percent) of U.S. adults admit they lie to their dentist about how often they floss their teeth, suggesting that many people don’t understand the importance of daily flossing or their risk for developing gum disease.
The symptoms of gum disease (such as red, swollen gums and bad breath)may be a sign of a person’s health beyond the mouth as gum disease has been linked to many chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer. Many people are already at risk for periodontal disease, thereby making maintaining periodontal health through diligent oral hygiene even more important. Risk factors such as age, genetics, and smoking may all increase the risk of developing of periodontal disease. I have seen patients in my office with advanced disease, likely because their risk factors coupled with the fact that they do not floss regularly, caused their periodontal disease to worsen more quickly.
At my practice in Mount Prospect, many of my patients have good intentions, yet are lacking the guidance to properly care for their gums. The one thing they all have in common is they usually don’t floss regularly. And, the resulting statistics are significant: twice as many people in the U.S. have periodontal disease as those who have diabetes.
The bottom line is poor oral hygiene is a major culprit when it comes to gum disease. And not only can poor oral hygiene have an impact your overall health, it can affect your personal life too. This new survey found 60 percent of American adults who have a partner said their partner’s oral health has an effect on intimacy. And, for those without a partner, more than a third (36 percent) of Americans say a smile is the first thing they notice when meeting someone they are attracted to.
The good news is periodontal disease is treatable and often reversible with proper and timely care. If a person is at risk for periodontal disease, he or she should seek evaluation from a periodontist, a dental specialist with the training and expertise to determine the best course of treatment.