Take a Bite Out of Gum Disease By Seeing a Periodontist · you should know: • Know the cause....
1
(NU) - Many people know that seeing a dentist twice a year is a key to keeping teeth clean and healthy. Those regular visits ensure your choppers are cavity-free, and perhaps it’s a chance for the den- tist to chastise you for not flossing enough. However, you shouldn’t simply stop there. According to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published in the Journal of Peri- odontology, nearly 65 million Americans suffer from gum dis- ease, also known as periodontitis. Symptoms can include red, tender, or bleeding gums; loosening of the teeth; and receding gums. If you experience these symptoms, a trip to a periodontist -- a dentist who specializes in treating gum disease -- should be added to your twice- yearly dental check-ups. “Periodontal disease remains a significant public health issue for people of all backgrounds,” said Joan Otomo-Corgel, DDS, MPH, president of the American Acade- my of Periodontology (AAP) and a practicing periodontist in Los Angeles. “However, with the prop- er treatment and care, periodontal disease is often reversible.” If you suspect that you might require the expert care of a pe- riodontist, here are four things you should know: • Know the cause. Poor oral hy- giene is a major culprit in the de- velopment of gum disease. More than 500 different species of bac- teria can be found in dental plaque, highlighting the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly. • Know your risk. There is a ge- netic component to gum disease, but lifestyle choices also can in- crease your chances of developing gum disease. Smoking, age, taking certain medications, obesity, poor nutrition and stress may all in- crease your susceptibility. • Know where to go. Take the “Gums 101” quiz on perio.org/loveyourgums to eval- uate the overall health of your gums, learn the signs and symp- toms of periodontal disease and find tips on how to care for your gums. You can also search for a periodontist in your area. • Know how often to go. The AAP recommends that adults un- dergo a comprehensive periodon- tal evaluation every year to ensure the health of gums and teeth. “If a person is found to have periodontal disease, a periodontist can determine the best course of treatment,” said Otomo-Corgel. For more information about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease, visit perio.org. Take a Bite Out of Gum Disease By Seeing a Periodontist HEALTH NewsUSA Take steps to improve your gum health. NewsUSA
Transcript of Take a Bite Out of Gum Disease By Seeing a Periodontist · you should know: • Know the cause....
(NU) - Many people know thatseeing a dentist twice a year is akey to keeping teeth clean andhealthy. Those regular visits ensureyour choppers are cavity-free, andperhaps it’s a chance for the den-tist to chastise you for not flossingenough. However, you shouldn’tsimply stop there.
According to a new study fromthe Centers for Disease Controland Prevention (CDC) recentlypublished in the Journal of Peri-odontology, nearly 65 millionAmericans suffer from gum dis-ease, also known as periodontitis.Symptoms can include red, tender,or bleeding gums; loosening of theteeth; and receding gums. If youexperience these symptoms, a tripto a periodontist -- a dentist whospecializes in treating gum disease-- should be added to your twice-yearly dental check-ups.
“Periodontal disease remains asignificant public health issue forpeople of all backgrounds,” saidJoan Otomo-Corgel, DDS, MPH,president of the American Acade-my of Periodontology (AAP) anda practicing periodontist in LosAngeles. “However, with the prop-er treatment and care, periodontaldisease is often reversible.”
If you suspect that you mightrequire the expert care of a pe-riodontist, here are four thingsyou should know:• Know the cause.Poor oral hy-giene is a major culprit in the de-velopment of gum disease. Morethan 500 different species of bac-teria can be found in dental plaque,highlighting the importance ofbrushing your teeth twice a dayand flossing regularly.• Know your risk.There is a ge-netic component to gum disease,
but lifestyle choices also can in-crease your chances of developinggum disease. Smoking, age, takingcertain medications, obesity, poornutrition and stress may all in-crease your susceptibility. • Know where to go. Take the “Gums 101” quiz on perio.org/loveyourgums to eval-uate the overall health of yourgums, learn the signs and symp-toms of periodontal disease andfind tips on how to care for yourgums. You can also search for aperiodontist in your area.• Know how often to go. TheAAP recommends that adults un-dergo a comprehensive periodon-tal evaluation every year to ensurethe health of gums and teeth.
“If a person is found to haveperiodontal disease, a periodontistcan determine the best course oftreatment,” said Otomo-Corgel.
For more information aboutthe prevention, diagnosis, andtreatment of gum disease, visitperio.org.
Take a Bite Out of Gum DiseaseBy Seeing a Periodontist
HEALTH
NewsUSA
Take steps to improve yourgum health.
NewsUSA
