Jan 16, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves minority owner Alex Rodriguez talks to a fan before the game with the Utah Jazz at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves
(New York, NY) — Former New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez is encouraging Americans to regularly visit the dentist following a gum disease diagnosis.
“Looks can be deceiving,” A-Rod said, smiling. “I just recently went to see my dentist and not thinking anything about any gum disease. And the dentist tells me the news, and then I come to find out over 65 million Americans have this gum disease.”
Rodriguez says the dentist caught his gum disease at an early stage, noting he never did chewing tobacco during his MLB career.
The 47-year-old has partnered with the health products company OraPharma to help raise awareness. He urged people to take care of their teeth and see their dentist.
“It’s important for all the viewers watching, all Americans, to take care of their teeth,” the former Yankee stated.
The CDC says nearly half of American adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease, and it’s more common after the age of 65.
A-Rod didn’t know what led to his diagnosis, but he explained that the issue is “prevalent in our Black and Brown communities, and especially my Latino community,” during the segment.
He recalled one of his mentors, Tony Gwen, who Rodriguez described as “one of the great, great icons of baseball,” passing away after “a lot of tobacco use,” according to Rodriguez.
