If you live in New Mexico, you might be surprised to know you have a higher likelihood of having gum disease than others in the country. Why? And what can you do about it? We will help answer these questions so if you or someone you know lives in the Land of Enchantment, you know how to not only treat, but prevent gum disease and keep your smile healthy.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a condition characterized by red, swollen or inflamed gums that bleed when brushed. The buildup of plaque and tartar, sticky substances that attach to the teeth, hold bacteria and it’s this bacteria that causes the inflammation of the gums. Early onset of gum disease is called gingivitis. If left untreated, the progression of gingivitis is called periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease can result in tooth loss and unfortunately, missing teeth can lead to a variety of health issues. In fact, even at the early stages of gingivitis, inflammation and gum disease are linked closely with higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, stroke and more.
Regular oral care, such as brushing twice a day, using floss and mouthwash daily, chewing sugar-free gum regularly and seeing your dentist twice a year helps keep gum disease at bay.
Why is Gum Disease in New Mexico so High?
According to a 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New Mexico and Hawaii lead the country in cases of gum disease. But why?
Sadly, a correlation was found between regions with higher concentrations of smokers, lower socio-economic status, and ethnic minorities including those along the Mexican border and Native American reservations. This is even more true when there is limited access to dental care, which are all conditions found in New Mexico.
New Mexicans also experience higher levels of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and others diseases connected to systemic inflammation like that found in gum disease. The good news is that residents in New Mexico can begin to see an improvement in overall health, by tackling their gum disease.
How PERFECT TEETH Can Help
As a trusted dental provider for New Mexicans since 1997, the health of our community is important to us. We has provided dental services to thousands of patients in New Mexico and is committed to helping New Mexicans stay healthy by providing quality, affordable dental care.
So whether you have dental insurance or not we can help provide a treatment plan and payment plan that can help you get the care you need to fight gum disease, tooth loss and even reduce your chance of developing other diseases like heart disease, diabetes or Alzheimer’s.
Our dentists care about your dental health journey and they take a kind and caring approach to caring for all patients. Your care options will be explained without judgment, but rather with gratitude that you are taking the first step towards improving your health, regardless of your current care or conditions. We see patients of all ages for preventative dental care, restorative dental care, oral surgery and cosmetic dentistry.