Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. But it’s not just a disease for older people. In fact, many patients who need gum disease treatment are young, and millennials make up a good chunk of people struggling with oral health complications. No matter your age, getting treatment for early gum disease is critical to preserve oral health and prevent a future full of dental problems.
The Problem with Millennials and Oral Health
The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. When caught early, gingivitis is treatable and unlikely to cause any oral health complications. If you have swollen or puffy gums, tenderness, or bleeding gums, these are signs that gum disease is setting in.
The biggest cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Younger people, notably millennials (the oldest of whom are just about to enter their 40s), are neglecting their teeth and gums. A survey conducted by oral care company Hello Products found the following:
- 3 in 10 millennials only brush their teeth once a day.
- The average millennials sometimes go more than two days without brushing even once.
- 56 percent of millennials make excuses about keeping regular dental visits.
Teeth are important. Gum health is important. For many people, oral health may not be a priority, but your needs will make themselves known when the discomfort begins. Putting your teeth and gums in jeopardy has consequences.
Who’s Getting Gum Disease?
In their 20s and 30s, young people are making their way in the world, getting established, settling in jobs and relationships and where they want to live. Amid the changes, oral health can get neglected. Daily flossing may not happen. They may skip their bi-annual appointments for dental check-ups and cleanings. They may not even have a Johns Creek dentist in their contact list. Their oral health may be the last thing on their minds.
Cost is also prohibitive. Many people don’t have dental insurance and taking care of their teeth is one expense they choose to avoid. The reality, though, is that avoiding professional oral health care is a sure route to even bigger expenses – if you don’t brush, don’t floss, and don’t see your dentist, the likelihood of developing gingivitis or decay is imminent, creating an eventual need for tooth-colored fillings, root canal therapy, and periodontal treatment.
Take Care of Your Gums
When you were a kid, oral hygiene was an important lesson in school. Teachers stressed the need to see your dentist and brush and floss thoroughly every day. After all, little kids are known for skipping the teeth cleaning and jumping right into bed or starting the day without the swipe of a brush. Adults should know better.
Just as you know what foods are healthy for you, when you’ve eaten too many calories, when you need exercise, you also know when you need help from a dentist. Ignoring tooth pain and problems will not make them go away. Oral health problems never resolve on their own. You need the intervention of a Suwanee dentist to get you back on track so your teeth and gums stay healthy – and stay in your mouth forever.
Suspect there’s something wrong in your mouth? Schedule your appointment at Family & Cosmetic Dental Care, serving residents of Johns Creek, Duluth, Alpharetta, Suwanee, and the surrounding areas.
