The ADA News reports that a study published in the July issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association finds about “42 percent of U.S. adults age 30 years or over with one or more teeth have periodontitis,” and “about 7.8 percent of those adults have severe periodontitis.” For the issue’s cover story, “Periodontitis in U.S. Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2014,” researchers used information from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. “This national study demonstrates that periodontitis is a highly prevalent oral disease among U.S. adults,” said corresponding author of the study, Paul Eke, PhD, a senior health scientist and epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dental practitioners “should be aware of the high prevalence of periodontitis in U.S. adults and may provide preventive care and counseling for periodontitis,” said Dr. Eke.
Unfortunately, neglect is still a problem, and gum disease is still the major cause of tooth loss for adults.
Haven’t had a checkup in a while? Now’s the time … for the sake of your dental health AND your general health!