Nearly Half of American Adults Have This Mouth Disease

gum disease infographic

You’re sitting in the subway in NYC and look to your left and to your right. One of those people has it. Gum disease. Is it the school teacher-vibe, 40-something redhead on your right? Or the salt and pepper, suit and tie on your left? Or is it you?! Now, look around the subway car again. This time, don’t just look around you, look around the whole car. There are probably 25 people here. 20 of these people have some form of periodontal disease according to the American Academy for Oral and Systemic Health. That’s a lot!! 

Now, for a few more periodontal related facts. Those periodontal pathogens floating around the subway car you’re in; they affect things like high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and other biomarkers. It’s not just the mouth. In fact, the mouth is probably the LEAST dangerous thing they affect! 

When we start looking about how much treatment helps we start to see some staggering changes! Periodontal treatment reduces hospital admissions and lowers annual medical costs! For instance, it lowers costs $5,168 per year for stroke patients and $1,090 per year for heart disease patients. Reaffirming the link between gum disease and heart disease the AAOSH shares. 

AAOSH or the Association of Oral and Systemic Health is revolutionizing interdisciplinary healthcare by uniting medicine and dentistry to empower a higher quality of life. Founded in 2010, it’s a 501(c)3 non-profit organization of healthcare leaders and health professionals dedicated to expanding awareness of the relationship between oral health and whole body health. AAOSH promotes medical and dental partnerships, building closer ties between allied health professionals and improving interdisciplinary communication and professional referral relationships.

As a member of AOOSH, Dr. Davey is committed to assessing your oral health and its relationship with the health of your entire body. To learn more about our whole health approach to oral health, or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 858-538-8300.