- MLB player Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) shares his journey with gum disease.
- A-Rod partnered with the Cover Your Bases campaign to talk about prevention and treatment.
- Health experts share ways to spot gum disease and care for your gums.
Alex Rodriguez, known as A-Rod to baseball fans, is admired for his exceptional skills on the baseball field.
During his 22 seasons playing in Major League Baseball (MLB), he won endless accolades, including being named an All-Star 14 times and receiving the Gold Glove Award twice and the Silver Slugger Award 10 times.
It is considered by many to be one of the greatest shorts in the game to ever step foot on the field.
But the World Series champion is putting baseball talk aside to talk about something he’s never discussed before. gum disease.
After a recent routine visit with his dentist, Rodriguez learned he is among them
“I was honestly surprised. I take good care of my teeth — brushing and flossing every day… I think there’s this perception that we think if you’re chewing tobacco, you’re eating sunflower seeds or [chew] chewing gum, all of which are synonymous with baseball players, [that must be the cause but] that’s not true, it can happen to anyone,” she told Healthline.
Gingivitis is an inflammatory infection of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and is characterized by redness, inflammation and bleeding gums.
“Gingivitis is reversible with dental prophylaxis and good oral care at home.” Kristin Lenz GalbreathDMD, owner of Union Grove Family Dental in Wisconsin, told Healthline.
As gum disease progresses, it can turn into periodontal disease, which is a chronic inflammatory infection that eventually leads to destruction of the gum tissue and bone surrounding the teeth.
“Untreated and advanced stages of periodontal disease result in loose teeth and even tooth loss,” said Lenz Galbreath.
He noted that people often misunderstand the consequences of not treating gingivitis.
“For most people, gum disease doesn’t hurt, and if it doesn’t it’s harder for the patient to believe there’s a problem worth treating,” he said.
Periodontal disease treatment aims to save the remaining bone support for the teeth and can be successful, he said. Dr. David OkanoDDS, representative of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).
“It can also be prevented by daily brushing and flossing as well as routine visits to a dental health professional,” he said.
A general dentist or hygienist can recognize the onset of gum disease and refer you to a periodontist for further evaluation and treatment, Okano noted.
“As specialist dentists trained in the treatment of gingivitis, periodontists have the expertise to provide appropriate gingivitis treatment,” he said.
Treatment for gum disease varies depending on how advanced the condition is. Treatment can be surgical, non-surgical, or if the tooth can’t be saved, treatment can include dental implants, Okano said.
“Once gum disease has been successfully treated, it’s very important to return for professional dental cleanings as often as every three months – compared to the usual six-month interval,” he said.
The AAP states that risks for developing gingivitis include:
- Age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 70% of Americans age 65 and older have some form of gingivitis.
- Smoking and tobacco use. Research notes that tobacco use may be one of the most important risk factors for the development of periodontal disease and contributes to its progression.
- Genetics. Despite good dental hygiene, some people may be more prone to gum disease.
- Stress. The body can have difficulty fighting infections, including periodontal disease, when it is under stress.
- Grinding of teeth. When pressure is placed on the tooth tissues due to grinding or clenching, it can damage the periodontal tissues.
- Medicines. Certain medications such as oral contraceptives, antidepressants, and heart medications can affect oral health.
- Poor nutrition. When essential nutrients are missing from a person’s diet, it can affect the immune system and the body’s ability to fight infection, which can contribute to gum disease.
In addition, untreated gingivitis can also increase the risk of developing other health complications.
For example,
In other words, people with diabetes are more prone to infections and more likely to suffer from periodontitis than people without the disease. In addition, researchers believe that periodontitis can worsen heart disorders.
“The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. “The presence of high levels of oral bacteria found throughout the rest of the body has been linked to a greater risk of systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s,” said Lenz Galbreath. “[If] we know that our oral health affects our systemic health, there’s no greater reason to see your dentist regularly and treat oral disease early.”
Learning about the connection between gum disease and heart health and gum disease and diabetes inspired Rodriguez to spread awareness.
He collaborated with OraPharma and Cover Your Bases campaign, which includes educational content about gum disease and encourages people to talk to their dentist about comprehensive treatment options.
“[I’m] using my platform to allow all my followers and fans and viewers and non-viewers [know] that [gum disease] it’s something that needs to be addressed, sooner rather than later,” Rodriguez said.
While it may not be trendy or exciting to talk about gum disease, he said it’s genuine.
“I have it, so it’s very authentic… I wish we could always talk about a campaign [that focuses on] you look great and you’ve got shredded abs, but that’s not the case with me and that’s something that’s real,” Rodriquez said. “I went to the dentist and like every American out there — any size, any shape, any gender, it can happen to any of us and I hope I can use my platform for the greater good.”
Learning that the Latino community and people of color are disproportionately affected by gum disease motivated him to speak out.
According to
“I’m glad I caught it early. I wish I had known earlier [now that I know] it’s prevalent in my community, Latinos, and black and brown skin [too]Rodriguez said. “Anything with [the word] disease in it you’re like “oh boy that’s scary. the good news is it’s treatable and your dentist will have a lot more information.”
