Let’s look at the first notion. Gum disease is something that occurs at all ages. Children as young as six years old have been found to have it. Periodontal disease (another name for gum disease) is often thought to occur as a consequence of aging by most people.
Actually, what is happening is that the damage has been accumulating over time. You don’t realize that you have it when you are young. You just see the results show up later in life (mid 30’s and beyond) and you think you just got gum disease as a result of getting older. There is a need to take care of your gum health at all ages.
The second notion is about how many people actually have gum disease. Periodontists and dentists generally will agree that up to 80% of the population has some form of gum disease right now. That is a scary thought, right?
What does that really mean? Eighty percent means eight out of ten. Line yourself and nine of your friends up and the statistics say that up to eight of you will have some form of gum disease right now. What are the odds that you are one of the 8 and not one of the other two that are completely free of gum disease?
Now let’s say that periodontists are wrong with this statistic (just for the sake of argument). Let’s say that the real number is 40% or 4 out of ten. There is still a pretty good chance that you or someone you love or are friends with has it, right?
About the author:
David Snape invites you to learn more about his book: What You Should Know about Gum Disease