Raising the awareness of gum disease

The research, gathered over a period of 30 years, also includes associations between gum disease and pregnancy complications.

As part of a Europe-wide initiative, the British Society of Periodontology announced its gum disease awareness campaign in the UK on Thursday April 11, 2013 at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester.

One of the main causes of gum disease is the large numbers of bacteria that live in the mouth, often leading to other health problems. Eight out of 10 adults over-35 suffer from some kind of gum complaint. Periodontal diseases cause problems with aesthetics, speech, ability to eat, bad breath loose teeth, and can lead to eventual loss of teeth.

Within the next two years dentists will be targeted to show they are checking on everyone’s gum health - and making improvements where necessary. This is an initiative led by the World Health Organisation reflecting their belief that a healthy mouth is a good indicator of a person’s general good health.