National Gum Disease Awareness Month: 4 Surprising Facts About Gum Disease

February is National Gum Disease Awareness Month. At Carmel Mountain Dental Care, our goal is to provide all of our patients with the general and preventive dental care they need to avoid gum disease. To help with this goal, we’ve put together this post with 4 surprising facts about gum disease that you may not know! Read on, celebrate National Gum Disease Awareness Month, and get the information you need to keep your gums strong and healthy. 

1. Nearly Half of All American Adults Have Gum Disease

According to the CDC, about 47.2% of all American adults over the age of 30 have gum disease, and many are not even aware of it. The majority of these cases are gingivitis, the most minor form of gum disease.

As you age, the risk of gum disease increases even more. According to the same CDC report, around 70.1% of adults 65 or older have gum disease. To avoid gum disease, make sure you’re taking care of your teeth as you age.

2. Gum Disease Is the Leading Cause of Tooth Loss in Adults

According to the NIDCR, gum disease is the #1 leading cause of premature tooth loss in adults. As gum disease gets worse, the bacteria in your gums spread into the jaw and the roots of your teeth, causing permanent, irreversible damage to your teeth. Nearly 1 in 5 seniors have lost all of their natural teeth, and gum disease is the #1 contributor to tooth loss. 

3. Gingivitis Is Reversible, but Advanced Cases of Gum Disease Cannot Be Reversed

One thing that many people are not aware of is the reversibility of gum disease. Gum disease is only reversible when it is caught in the earliest stage, which is known as gingivitis.

In gingivitis, your gums will become inflamed, red, and tender, and you may notice symptoms like bleeding when brushing and flossing, or bad breath (halitosis). However, this inflammation can be completely reversed with proper at-home oral care and professional dental care, such as a deep cleaning (scaling & root planing).

Left untreated, however, the infection will continue to progress into “periodontitis.” The teeth and jaw bone will be permanently damaged, and it will not be possible to completely reverse the disease, only control it. For this reason, you need to get help immediately if you suspect that you have gum disease.

4. Gum Disease Can Be Completely Avoided With Proper Precautions &  Oral Hygiene 

There are a number of steps you can take to avoid gum disease, and keep your mouth healthy. Here are just a few of them.

• Brush at least twice per day for two minutes
  
  
• Floss your teeth once per day
  
  
• Quit smoking or oral tobacco use
  
  
• Minimize sugary and starchy foods in your diet
  
  
• Ensure diabetes is controlled properly
  
  
• See a dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and oral exam
  
  
• Address xerostomia (dry mouth), which can contribute to a higher risk of gum disease
  

Take Care of Your Gums – Schedule an Appointment at Carmel Mountain Dental Care 

Think you might have gum disease or need a consultation to ensure that your teeth are healthy? At Carmel Mountain Dental Care, Dr. H. Jonathan Lee can help. 

We specialize in gum disease treatment in Rancho Peñasquitos, 4S Ranch and Del Sur. If you think you may have gum disease, don’t wait. Contact us at (858) 484-4880, or stop by our office at 9310 Carmel Mountain Rd, Ste A, San Diego, CA 92129. We’ll see you soon.