If you’ve ever seen Beyonce and her megawatt smile, you know just how appealing a wide grin can be. And there’s more. Studies show that smiles make us more attractive, lower stress, elevate our mood and make us look younger!

So, it’s important to keep our teeth and gums in smile-ready shape.

But, many of us don’t.

Bet you didn’t know that nearly 50% of adults 30 years old or older have periodontal disease in the U.S., and that number spikes to 65% in adults 65 years old or older. Yet, it’s not a disease that’s readily discussed, despite the fact it’s 2.5 times more common than diabetes! But, there’s good news. Gum disease is preventable, or reversible, if you just “love the gums you’re with.”

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) encourages all Americans to understand the importance of periodontal health through its “Love The Gums You’re With” campaign. The AAP hopes to educate us on the importance of good oral hygiene, and the need to speak to a dental professional about periodontal health because we all love the thought of a sparkling smile and fresh breath.

The AAP just launched a new Tumblr page called the GUMBLR.  This engaging site is filled with valuable information to help you find a local periodontist, learn more about gum disease and take an interactive quiz.

I spoke with Dr. Wayne Aldredge, President of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) to learn more about the new page. He also shared important facts about periodontal disease and the best steps to prevent it.

 

Take a listen to our chat below.

.

.

 

Visit Gumblr(dot)org to learn more.

 Periodontal Desease

.

Meet Our Guest

Dr. Wayne Aldredge is President of the American Academy of Periodontology. He’s also on the Board of Directors of the Northeastern Society of Periodontists—the largest regional periodontal society in the United States—and a former President of the New Jersey Society of Periodontists.

periodontal disease