Baseball legend Alex Rodriguez disclosed Wednesday he has been diagnosed with early-stage gum disease.

"I just recently went to see my dentist and not thinking anything about any gum disease," he said on CBS Mornings. "And the dentist tells me the news, and then I come to find out over 65 million Americans have this gum disease."

Rodriguez emphasized the need to get regularly checked by a dentist.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research describes periodontal disease as "an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place." Poor brushing and flossing are among the causes. Based on its available data, the NIH said 42.2 percent of Americans 30 years or older had "total periodontitis."

Rodriguez spent 22 years in MLB across spells with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees. Widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation, he was a 14-time All-Star and a three-time American League MVP.

The 47-year-old retired with 696 home runs, the fifth-most in MLB history, and his 117.5 WAR are 16th all-time at Baseball Reference.

Despite a résumé more than worthy of the Hall of Fame, his wait for enshrinement continues with no end in sight. He was suspended for the entire 2014 season for his involvement in the wider Biogenesis scandal, and he reportedly tested positive for a banned substance in 2003.

Hall of Fame voters have responded accordingly. Rodriguez only received 35.7 percent of the vote in 2023, well below the 75 percent threshold required to earn a place in Cooperstown, New York.