Gum disease is a serious matter—according to the CDC, roughly half of all American adults are affected by it! Those who are suffer from inflammation, bleeding, and sometimes even tooth loss in serious cases. But fortunately, treatment options such as scaling and root planing are able to easily eliminate disease-causing bacteria and give your gums the chance to heal up. Keep reading to learn more about this treatment process, along with some factors that affect its cost and some tips for keeping your gums vital.

It’s estimated that one in ten Americans are diabetic, and many more are prediabetic—meaning that diabetes is more common than you might realize! That said, if you’re diabetic then you know all about the complications, inconveniences, and associated risks that your condition can cause. Among these issues is gingivitis; believe it or not, diabetes can actually increase your risk of developing gum disease. Here’s more from your dentist about this connection along with some tips for keeping your gums healthy if you have diabetes.