“Healthy gums, beautiful smile” is the slogan for Gum Health Day 2019, held worldwide on May 12 to raise awareness about the growing threat of gum diseases on general health and wellbeing.
This year’s European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) campaign is joined by 45 national scientific societies of periodontology from Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Gum diseases are the most common medical condition in adults, affecting eight in 10 people over the age of 35, the EFP reports. They are the main cause of adult tooth loss, leading to chewing problems and affecting nutrition, quality of life, and self-esteem.
Gum diseases also are linked with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious, chronic conditions, the EFP says.
“Looking after your gums is important for oral health and for overall health throughout life,” said Lior Shapira, EFP coordinator of Gum Health Day 2019. “Healthy gums also make beautiful smiles, as they preserve our teeth and facial contours.”
Activities are taking place in more than 100 cities with free periodontal screenings, an app that patients can use to assess their risk of gum disease, complimentary toothbrushes and toothpaste, lectures for dental students, workshops, brochures, and media campaigns.
The EFP also is encouraging dentists and other health professionals to sign and disseminate the EFP Manifesto on Perio and General Health, an international call to action for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of gum disease.
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