Many people in today’s culture  associates straight, white teeth to having good dental health.  However, according to dental professional such as  Dr. Gregory F. Bell DDS this trend of thought is a connotation that can be somewhat misleading.   An article posted by HealthNewsDigest.com explains that periodontal disease, or gum disease, can lurk beneath a seemingly healthy smile.  The article describes periodontal disease as being “a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth.” As such, it can cause a great deal of damage if left untreated.

According to the article, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, performed a study that revealed that approximately half of Americans who are 30 years of age and older have periodontal disease. Nancy L. Newhouse, DDS, MS, and President of the American Academy of Periodontology, explains that this form of disease can often go overlooked.