A Look at the Risk of Gum Disease in Young Adults

Many young adults are making a crucial mistake about their oral health—they think that they are too young to get gum disease. In reality, gum disease can happen to anyone at any age, and causes in young adults are on the rise. Gum disease can have disastrous effects on not just your oral health but your systemic health as well. One of the many reasons that you should see your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning is so he or she can monitor your gum health, as catching gum disease early is critical for effective treatment. Here is what you need to know about the risk of gum disease in young adults.

Gum disease often starts without symptoms.

In its early stages, gum disease causes very few symptoms, if it causes any at all. This means that young adults who have gum disease may not know it, because they don’t experience any signs of a problem. Instead, the gum disease may be allowed to progress unchecked for an extended period of time, until more serious symptoms occur that send people to the dentist, like loose teeth.

Young adults underestimate their risk because their teeth look healthy.

Many young adults think that they can’t have gum disease because their smiles look healthy. In reality, there is no link between teeth that appear bright and healthy and the presence of gum disease. The only way to know if you have gum disease, as well as some other oral health issues, is to see your dentist regularly for a teeth cleaning.

Gum disease can have unexpected consequences for young adults.

Gum disease is a contributor to preterm deliveries and low birth weight babies, so many young adults who are starting families experience these things without knowing that their gum disease has put them at risk. Gum disease can also cause complications for young adults who have diabetes and increase the risk of heart disease.

Find out your risk of gum disease and how you can prevent it with a visit to Glenwood Premier Dental. Our dentist in Hazlet offers preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry to help your teeth gums stay healthy. For more information or to make an appointment, call (732) 264-4477.