What You Should Know about Gum Disease in US

Periodontal disease is currently considered to be a serious public health problem in the United States due to its prevalence among the population. Highly preventable and treatable, periodontal disease affects nearly half of the population in this country.

According to information provided by the American Dental Association, nearly half of all Americans suffer from some stage of gum disease. There are some obvious distinctions in groups with higher prevalence rates of periodontal disease.

More than 56 percent of men suffer from periodontal disease, while for women it is around 38 percent. Of nationalities, Mexican-Americans fare worst, with almost 67 percent suffering from some form of periodontal disease. About 64 percent of those who smoke, nearly 67 percent of those with less than a high school education, and approximately 65 percent of those who live below federal poverty guidelines suffer from various stages of periodontal disease.

Age also plays a factor in the development of gum disease, as people are able to keep their natural teeth longer. While it is important to maintain proper oral health at all age levels, it is especially important for the elderly as other health problems that commonly occur during the aging process can be triggered due to the presence of periodontal gum disease.

It is important to be checked at least once a year for periodontal disease. Our North Hollywood dentist can do this examination in addition to your regular exam and cleaning procedure.