Chances are high that you have an oral health problem. Professionals estimate that perhaps as much as 80% of the adult US population suffers from some form of gum disease.
Clearly, if this is the case, something is very, very wrong. How could it be true that so many suffer from gum disease Don’t most of us go to the dentist on a regular basis to get our teeth cleaned Don’t most of us brush and floss our teeth every day How could the percentage of people that have gum disease be so incredibly high
Fighting or preventing gum disease is a complex problem in the sense that there are many facets to look at. That is not to say that gum disease itself is hard to conquer. No.
There is a small minority of people that will suffer from gum disease no matter what. But the vast majority of people are not doomed in this way. It is really a matter of understanding and taking action.
Therein lies part of the problem. Understanding what gum disease is and what is needed to stop it or prevent it from coming back once it has been checked is desperately needed by the majority of people.
Information about gum disease in the quantity and quality necessary is not always forthcoming from the sources we might expect to provide it. There is one notable exception. Periodontists have special training in gum care. The focus of their practice is on the health of the gums.
There is an entire profession devoted to gum health and disease. Isn’t that just another clue That eighty percent statistic isn’t so far fetched after all, is it Statistics do vary, you may hear that the number of people with gum disease is anywhere from 40 percent to 95 percent of the population. Whatever the truth really is, it is clear that a lot of people suffer from periodontal problems.
Even so, information and understanding is part of the problem. If you understood what gum disease is and how it sets up residence in the mouths of most human beings, you should have a much better chance to stop it, check its progress or prevent it in the first place.
Yet, so few have that level of understanding, judging by the statistics provided by oral care professionals. How can this lack of knowledge be addressed
It would be great if there was a book written by a lay person that relates personal experiences and simply and directly relates, in easy to understand terms, the reality about gum disease. As a person who has suffered from gum disease and gingivitis, I have to believe that such a book would be of benefit to every person out there.
If you aren’t part of the eighty percent, then you need to prevent active gum disease from affecting your oral health. You also have loved ones that should be protected from the ravages of gum disease.
This article is not meant to offer advice, it is for information purposes only. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other oral health problems, you should visit your periodontist, doctor or dentist for diagnosis, advice and treatment.