In support of American Diabetes Month, Colgate Total is lending its support to Stop Diabetes, a movement launched by the American Diabetes Association. By joining forces with the American Diabetes Association, Colgate Total aims to help educate and increase awareness of the critical link between oral health and diabetes and is donating $100,000 to the American Diabetes Association to support Stop Diabetes.
"People living with diabetes are at an increased risk for developing periodontal disease because they are generally more susceptible to bacterial infection, and have a decreased ability to fight bacteria that invade the gums," said Dr. Maria Emanuel Ryan, professor of oral biology and pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, N.Y. "Conversely, scientific evidence suggests that periodontal disease may play a serious role in the development and progression of diabetes by adversely affecting blood glucose control. It is important that both patients and their healthcare providers be aware of the connection, monitor and take appropriate action to both prevent and treat periodontal disease."
A big misconception is that patients always experience pain if they have gum disease; this is not the case and is especially important for diabetes patients to know and watch for the following signs and symptoms:
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, puffy or sore gums
- Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Pus that appears between your teeth and gums
- Constant bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
The makers of Colgate Total and the American Diabetes Association are encouraging Americans to take action and Raise Their Hand to Stop Diabetes. To learn more about the link and to learn how to be part of the movement to Stop Diabetes, please visit www.stopdiabetes.com or www.OralHealthAndDiabetes.com.
To view multimedia assets associated with the Colgate announcement, click here.
