Yesterday, I received a call from a woman in Virginia. She has been reading my information on gum disease. She wanted to thank me for the information she was reading from me via email.
One day her dentist told her she had gum disease. It was a shocker for her. This is the same story that plays itself out over and over and over again not just in this country but around the world.
This disease is no joke and if you think you are safe, you need to rethink that assessment. There are indeed some people that appear to be immune to gum disease – They make up a whopping 2% of the population.
What are the chances that you are part of the other 98%?
Here is some commonly accepted beliefs about periodontal disease that may help to crystallize this point:
1. Statistics vary but you will hear estimates that vary from between 20% at the low end to 80% at the high end of people who are suffering from gum disease right now.
2. The mayo clinic had posted an article to their site that said they expect that 95% of people will have this disease after age 65.
Now, do NOT think you are safe if you are under 65. You could be 6 years old and have it.
What happens over time is that the damage becomes more evident. That’s why people have a mistaken notion that gum disease is a middle age or old age problem. That is simply not the case at all.
It’s only that gum disease has been amassing its damage – often but not always – slowly, over time. It seems like you ‘suddenly’ realize you have sore, inflamed gums and perhaps receding gums.
But the truth is, this doesn’t usually happen overnight. A person could have been harboring periodontal disease for many, many years without recognizing it. All that time, the damage is adding up.
But I go to the dentist on a regular basis? – one might protest.
This has been studied and the plain truth of the matter is that dentists often do not inform you about periodontal disease. However, they are sure to notice when it is time for an expensive, potentially painful and time consuming treatment. Why wait until then?
Let’s not say anything bad here. I’m not saying all dentists are like this. There are some very good dentists who do pay attention to this issue.
I’m just saying the majority just don’t focus on your gum health. They are more concerned about your teeth and the health of your teeth.
The truth of the matter is that the number one cause of tooth loss is gum disease. It is NOT cavities or anything else, it is gum disease.
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