Your Dream Team for Beautiful Smiles and Faces

Your Dream Team for Beautiful Smiles and Faces

Gum Disease Awareness Month

As a periodontist, I am quite pleased that Governor Quinn proclaimed February as Gum Disease Awareness Month. The proclamation reads like a poem to a periodontist. It clearly states many facts about gum disease and why its important to have the condition treated. I hope to have the proclamation posted on my website in the near future. Another interesting development is the publication of the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This ongoing study for the first time included a comprehensive periodontal examination. No surprise to me the prevalence of gum disease is greater than past estimates. On average half of the adult population has some form of gum disease. In adults over 60, men, smokers,and minorities the prevalence is over 50 percent.

These two developments, the proclamation and the NHANES study, seem to have come out at the same time. I’m using this time to seriously market the need for awareness, proper examinations and treatment. This is a perfect time to promote a very important part of the Dental Dream Team’s care. Not only do we make beautiful smiles, we are also very aware of the health needs of our community. The population we serve has health issues all tied together so treating one effects the other and can improve overall health. Diabetes, hypertension, and smoking are the main conditions that relate to the the infection in the mouth known as gum disease. Some studies are also showing a relationship of gum disease to cancers, erectile dysfunction, and a host of other ailments. The size of the studies and design of the study prevent a clear causal relationship, nevertheless the results do warrant further study.

Visit Us

South Side Chicago Dentist
820 East 87th Street Suite 201,
Chicago, IL 60619

Office Hours
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: By appointment only

Contact Us

Yetta G. McCullom, D.D.S., M.S. (773) 488-3738
Cornell McCullom III, D.D.S., M.D. (773) 488-3738
Robin L. Ferguson, D.D.S., P.C. (773) 488-9075

In The News

South Side Chicago Dentist

  • ABC News
  • WVON - The Talk of Chicago
  • Healthfront
  • WCIU The U
  • WH - The Wellness Hour

Read Our Dental News

South Side Chicago Dentist

Traveling Soon? Don’t Forget Your Teeth | South Side Chicago IL Dentist

Traveling Soon? Don’t Forget Your Teeth | South Side Chicago IL Dentist

Maintaining a regular schedule can be difficult when you travel. For many people, brushing and flossing can seem time-consuming. If you are traveling on business…

Read More >
November 15, 2023 | South Side Chicago Dentist
Healthy Gums With One Special Tool | South Side Chicago Dentist

Healthy Gums With One Special Tool | South Side Chicago Dentist

Loss of teeth, bad breath, and bleeding gums are among the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease. It can, however, start without any noticeable symptoms.…

Read More >
November 01, 2023 | South Side Chicago Dentist
Healthy Gums for Seniors | South Side Chicago Dentist

Healthy Gums for Seniors | South Side Chicago Dentist

Gum health is one of the most important things to remember for seniors. Your risk of developing periodontal (gum) disease increases with age. The good…

Read More >
October 15, 2023 | South Side Chicago Dentist