UK joins Gum Health Day 2020
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 13th May 2020
“Say NO to bleeding gums” was the slogan for Gum Health Day 2020, celebrated on 12 May in the UK and around the world. Its goal was to raise awareness about bleeding gums and how they are usually a sign of gum disease and need urgent treatment at the dental practice – otherwise they may pose a risk to health.
Gingivitis, periodontitis, and peri-implantitis are chronic, inflammatory gum diseases that affect a significant number of adults in the UK and worldwide. Unfortunately, gum diseases are still poorly acknowledged, even though scientific evidence shows that they pose a threat, not only to our oral/dental health but also our general health. Gum disease is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, certain forms of cancer, pregnancy complications, erectile dysfunction, and other serious, chronic and/or systemic conditions. More than 40 countries have joined Gum Health Day 2020 – from Europe, the Americas, Africa, Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.
This year, together with the kind support of GSK, producers of Corsodyl, the BSP planned to join forces with our Undergraduate Representatives from UK dental and hygiene therapy schools to promote the campaign in and around the UK dental schools. Due to Covid-19, the public events have now been postponed until later in the year.
The BSP seeks to raise public awareness of the importance of identifying bleeding gums as a sign of gum disease. This awareness initiative encourages people with bleeding gums to visit their dentist, hygienist or therapist for a dental examination, including periodontal screening. The BSP has made resources available to its 1,500+ members to share with their patients in practice, including information leaflets, powerful videos and images. We have also run a gum health lockdown challenge on our social media platforms, which has been a huge success in engaging the profession.
Last year, Gum Health Day was celebrated in 47 countries: 28 in Europe, 13 in Latin America, five in Asia, and one in Africa. Interest in Gum Health Day was so high that 12 national periodontal societies from outside the EFP decided to take part in this campaign. This year, the BSP joins this worldwide initiative again to raise awareness of the importance of gum health with the UK public.
“Gum Health Day 2020 is a major EFP initiative to get the public informed every year of the value of healthy gums for a healthy life,” explained Xavier Struillou, president of the
EFP. “Even if we are living exceptional, strange times worldwide with the Covid-19 pandemic, we should not forget the role of our gum health in our global health. Taking care
of our gums also applies in these days.”
“Gum Health Day 2020 aims to remind people that – even if still often overlooked – gum
health is a key factor for general health and wellbeing throughout life, and that gum disease is an important public-health issue as it is linked to very serious conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes,” added Andreas Stavropoulos, coordinator of Gum Health Day 2020.
Gum diseases are usually painless, so the most frequent sign of suffering them is bleeding gums. “Gums are not supposed to bleed without reason,” noted Prof Stavropoulos. “If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or when you bite on food, for example an apple, go and visit your dentist for a periodontal check-up as soon as possible.”
No Comments
No comments yet.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
