I happened upon an interesting web page that gave you a list of ways to save yourself from gum disease with some easy prevention routines. All that was great, but what really got me was how they said that 80% of people have gum disease. You know something? It was like the data was based on the number of patients who came to my office.

Do you know Jennifer Love Hewitt? Well, this is what she looks like. Jennifer wanted to make it into the big time by settling in Los Angeles where she wanted to pursue music. She never did make it as a singer. But as an actress, she has thrived. For me, I think she made the right choice in the end. However, she can still sing and has released a few albums.

I read about her life in a recent interview and it was amazing to see that she doesn't know how to ride a bicycle and still keeps falling off. That is incredible! I have never been in the company of Jennifer Love Hewitt, nor has she ever sat in my dental chair, but in my opinion, she is quite beautiful and she is one of those people who are blessed with an amazing smile.

She could have gum disease, although it is not something we would ever know.

If you have healthy gums, they stay strong when you brush them and they don't bleed. If your gums are in good condition, they would be a healthy pink color but make sure they are not swollen. If your gums are stretched and firm, that is also encouraging. There are many things a dentist must be on the lookout for. But I always make sure I examine how deep a patient's gum pockets are. This gives us a good indication of gum disease. By checking on the depth, we can estimate how bad is the gum disease and what should be done in the future. Pockets don't get less deep but you are able to stop them getting worse. Bone loss from the jaw will cause gum pockets and eventually your teeth sit on your gums without enough bone for the roots to hold on to and because of this gradual erosion of bone the majority of people who let this continue experience teeth loss when they become pensioners.

I am a big believer in things that prevent you from the need to sit in my chair.

I think a good oral home care program can make a lot of difference. And quite often I would have people come to see me and undergo additional procedures to clean their teeth that further protects them from having problems with their gums and teeth.

Don't think that you have to be like Jennifer Love Hewitt to make the most of my treatment for Herndon gum disease. Don't worry about your status. It would be my pleasure to give you the help you need whoever you are. Everyone is a celebrity in my office.

Photography by PR Photos. No celebrity endorsement is made or implied.