Periodontal Charting Saves Teeth and Lives

In last week's podcast, we discussed taking ownership of your health! Over the next few weeks I will be breaking it down into easier to absorb tidbits.The health of your mouth is a journey that starts with knowing the facts. One out every two American adults aged 30 or older has periodontal disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control.The first sign that you might have a dental issue is when your mouth starts giving out warning signals like bleeding gums. Don't ignore these! It's important to get any potential problems diagnosed early on so they can be treated before it gets worse and becomes irreversible or too expensive for treatment options. In this episode we will be discussing Periodontal Disease and dental care more in detail.If you can’t afford dental care, you may be able to find help through the following sources:The Health Resources and Services Administration supports a network of “safety net” clinics for people who qualify for reduced-cost care, and many have a dental clinic (toll free: 1-888-275-4772).Most dental schoolsYour state dental organization  may be able to refer you to dentists in your area who provide care at a reduced rate. Key Takeaways:What Periodontal Disease is and how it affects our bodyThe causes of Gum DiseaseThe Warning signs of Periodontal Disease Why Good Oral Hygiene is importantReferencesCohen RE, Research, Science and Therapy Committee, American Academy of Periodontology. Position paper: periodontal maintenance. J Periodontol. 2003;74:1395–1401.Comprehensive periodontal therapy: a statement by the American Academy of Periodontology. J Periodontol. 2011;82:943–949. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.htmlhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9526927/Fun fact:Did you know that If you are a smoker your gums may not bleed?Did you know that Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the two biggest threats to dental health?Did you know that  Gum Disease seems to be  more common in men vs women? That’s 56.4% vs 38.4% based on Statistics.