One of the main functions of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is to characterize the patterns and prevalence of diseases across the United States. Earlier this year, the CDC released a study that examined the gum tissue health of adults over the age of 30. They found that nearly of all subjects had some form of periodontitis (advanced state gum disease). That's nearly 65 million Americans!
Papers like these highlight both the importance of home care and the necessity of regular dental office visits. In most instances, periodontal disease is largely preventable. However, it requires a lifetime of proper oral hygiene and maintenance. This is one of the many reasons why we stress the importance of establishing good brushing and flossing habits starting at a very young age. Likewise, regular dental appointments allow a professional to monitor your progress and help keep you on the right track!
Like many things in life, maintaining proper oral hygiene is a collaboration between your efforts and the support of a dental healthcare team. Our office prides itself in not only treating our patient's problems, but also making sure they are equipped with the knowledge to prevent or manage further disease. If you would like to know more about gum disease, periodontitis or any other dental care topics, please give us a call. Our staff is always excited to teach the best practices in keeping your teeth and gums healthy!