Gum disease is a silent epidemic. According to several studies, nearly 85 percent of the American population has some stage of gum disease, referred by medical professionals as periodontal disease. In addition, about 50 percent of the population has moderate to severe periodontal disease. A painless disease that is often unnoticed by patients until their teeth get loose or start shifting, gum disease is the number one reason for lost teeth today in the United States.
Losing teeth from gum disease is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to overall health. Gum disease has been implicated as a risk factor in several diseases, including obesity, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s, dementia, erectile dysfunction, pancreatic cancer and many more. Expectant mothers have additional risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, miscarriage, preterm and low-birth-weight babies. The list of diseases grows yearly. Surprisingly, many people know very little about it. As the body of evidence regarding the connection between gum disease and systemic disease grows and physicians become more aware of the link, the media will respond with more reporting.
Source: Alex Shvartsman, DDS, MAGD. Location: State of the Art Comfort Dentistry, 260 E. Main St., Ste. 109, Smithtown. For additional information, call 631-361-3577 or visit SmithtownSmiles.com.
