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Are You Ignoring Gum Disease?

Are You Ignoring Gum Disease?
by Julie Davis

Going to the dentist might not be a favorite on your to-do list, but these check-ups are important not only for your teeth, but also for your gums.

Gum disease, or gingivitis, can be difficult to catch. And it can lead to the more severe problem of periodontitis.

Of concern, periodontitis has been associated with more serious health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes, all of which share a common link -- inflammation, explain experts at the American Academy of Periodontology.

Certain medical conditions and lifestyle choices make you more susceptible to gum disease. If you smoke, take medications that lead to dry mouth, have poor nutrition, or experience high stress, you're more likely to develop gingivitis. If unhealthy gums run in your family or if you already have heart disease, diabetes or arthritis, you're also at higher risk.

It's important to know your risk level because most people don't experience symptoms until their 30s or 40s, when the disease might already be at an advanced stage.

Read full article on USNews.