In recent years, dental emergencies have constituted around 2.1 million of the nation’s emergency room visits. Periodontal health struggles are a silent epidemic; so many are affected, yet so few are talking about it. We don’t want you to suffer in silence any longer, so we’re stepping up to the plate. Let’s talk about the hard stuff, like why so many people neglect their dental health, what the consequences are and how you can turn things around when they’ve gone too far.
There are a lot of reasons to be on top of your oral health — and especially your gum health. The obvious reason is that, as you get older, you become more and more vulnerable to periodontitis. This is an advanced gum disease that can cause bone and tissue deterioration and, if left untreated, tooth loss. You become more vulnerable to periodontitis with age; according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, an estimated 1 in 7 adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have some form of gum disease, and that amount rises to 1 in 4 adults by the time you reach the age of 65. In fact, the American Academy of Periodontology has stated that 20 to 30 percent of adults have gum disease that puts them at risk of tooth loss. To sum it up: gum disease is no joke!
Did you know that nearly 30 million Americans suffer from diabetes? Diabetes decreases the body’s ability to control the blood sugar level and, similarly to other illnesses, can increase susceptibility to other infections and complications. The most commonly known complications from diabetes are heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage - but, more recent studies have shown a connection between diabetes and periodontal (gum) disease.
With increased susceptibility, the rate at which the infection worsens can also be affected. For example, periodontal disease is broken up into various stages; from gingivitis (the beginning of infection) to periodontitis (the most advanced cases). If your body is having a difficult time fighting the infection, it could quickly progress.
