Gum disease affects young adults, too

Even though it is regarded as a disease for middle-aged men and women, gum disease is becoming more prevalent in twenty-somethings, especially for those that still have their wisdom teeth.

Periodontal, or gum disease comes about when bacteria gets in between and under teeth, digging into the root of the tooth and gum. Periodontal disease can affect other parts of the body as well, as those with the disease have been shown to be more likely to develop infections and cardiovascular disease.

Researchers from the University of Kentucky and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill examined 400 adults in their 20s that planned on keeping their wisdom teeth. Over 60 percent showed signs of oral infection and one in four subjects were diagnosed with periodontal disease even though they did not overtly possess any of the symptoms related to the disease.

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