Periodontal disease doesn’t exactly occupy the same “pedestal” as diseases like cancer. And yet, it’s a valid health condition that needs urgent attention. There is more than enough research connecting periodontitis (aka gum disease) to general health. For instance, diabetes is confirmed to be a major risk for periodontitis, according to researchers from England, Spain, and Germany.

1. Periodontal Disease
By The Numbers
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2. Periodontal disease doesn’t exactly occupy the same “pedestal” as diseases like cancer.
And yet, it’s a valid health condition that needs urgent attention. There is more than
enough research connecting periodontitis (aka gum disease) to general health. For
instance, diabetes is confirmed to be a major risk for periodontitis, according to
researchers from England, Spain, and Germany.
In America, the situation is a serious one. The American Academy of Periodontists and
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 47.2 percent of all
American adults have gum disease. About 30 percent of these people suffer from
moderate periodontitis, while 8.7 and 8.5 percent have mild and severe cases,
respectively.
Illustrated in different terms, that equates to roughly one out of every two American
adults. It’s worth noting that many of the patients are 30 years or older. The data shows
that about 64.7 million American adults suffer from any of the three periodontitis
stages. Furthermore, the researchers note that gum disease prevalence rises over 70
percent in adults 65 years or older.

3. Where It’s More Prevalent
Certain states harbor the highest gum disease prevalence rates in the nation. Publishing in
the Journal of Dental Research, the CDC lists New Mexico as having the highest rate at
52.79 percent. Hawaii is close at hand with 51.10 percent. Down the line, they are followed
by Florida (49.47 percent), Mississippi (49.22 percent), Texas (48.25 percent), Louisiana
(48.21 percent), Nevada (47.84 percent), California (47.80 percent), South Carolina (47.78
percent), and Arizona (47.73 percent).
The CDC cites a rather significant disparity in prevalence among counties. Estimates ranged
from over 30 percent to as much as 70 percent on an average basis. Overall, national
median prevalence is at 45.1 and 44.9 percent, respectively, when talking about state
medians. Severe periodontitis, while lagging behind moderate and mild cases in terms of
numbers, is still a relevant statistic. Lastly, CDC revealed that men are more likely to
develop the condition than women (56.4 percent vs. 38.4 percent).
Dr. Pamela McClain, DDS, of the American Academy of Periodontology, claims that these
findings further reinforce the need for annual periodontal evaluations. Nobody but a duly
recognized professional can accurately diagnose the condition, as well as recommend
appropriate treatments along the way. It’s also proof that more Americans are suffering
from periodontitis than previously thought.

4. There is optimism about things changing within the periodontal and dentistry fields, but
for now, all people can do is wait.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3228943/
https://www.perio.org/consumer/cdc-study.htm
http://www.adha.org/sites/default/files/7228_Oral_Health_Total.pdf
http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/02/cdc-estimates-high-periodontal-disease-
prevalence-in-southern-states.html
http://www.mahoneydds.com/procedures/