Florida Adults Rank Among Highest in US for Gum Disease

Recently, the Journal of Dental Research published a story about the prevalence of periodontitis in the United States, identifying the top 10 states with the highest rates of occurrence. According to an article from the American Dental Association (ADA), the states with the most adults, ages 30-79, suffering from gum disease include New Mexico, Hawaii, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Nevada, California, South Carolina and Arizona. Anywhere from 52.8% to 47.7% of adults in these states have the oral disease.

Researchers estimated the prevalence of periodontitis across the nation using a small-area estimation method. This is the first study of its kind, and the authors are hopeful that the information will be useful in the battle against oral disease.

“This information can be used to inform oral health policy decisions and for developing intervention strategies at the state and local levels,” the researchers said. “In addition, our findings suggest potential areas of collaboration between adult oral health and other chronic disease prevention programs at geographical levels.”

When it comes to periodontitis, prevention is critical in the fight to eliminate this all too common disease. The good news is that avoiding the diagnosis can be very simple. The best way to protect yourself from gum disease is by practicing a good oral hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth, twice a day for at least two minutes, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist biannually for professional cleanings and exams. For more information about periodontitis, including symptoms and treatments, check out my blog, Understanding Periodontal Disease.