Monday, January 13, 2020

Nearly Half of American Adults Have Gum Disease

Dental Chairs
Photo by 
Michael Browning on Unsplash

Since 2015, Dr. Joseph Ayoub has been named one of America’s Best Dentists. For more than two decades, Dr. Joseph Ayoub has provided preventative and restorative periodontal treatment at Dentistry by Design in South Huntington, New York.

Periodontal disease is an advanced gum infection that can lead to tooth loss, lung infections, and heart problems. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 47 percent of Americans over 30 have some stage of periodontitis. Adults over 65 have even higher rates of the disease.

Gum disease begins when poor oral hygiene and a lack of professional dental care cause plaque and bacteria to build up on teeth. Over time, this bacteria infects the gum line, causing it to pull away from the teeth.

At this stage, gum disease can no longer be reversed, but the negative effects can be managed. Without proper dental care, the infection can spread throughout the body, causing significant health complications.