Initiative aims to raise awareness in the Hispanic community on gingivitis prevention
MIAMI--Data from a government health agency shows that gingivitis, a form of gum disease, affects one out of every two adults in America, including Hispanics.
The Mexican-American population has one of the highest percentages of prevalence. In collaboration with Dr. Ivan Lugo, DMD, MBA, past-president of the Hispanic Dental Association and Associate Dean of Temple University School of Dentistry, Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste and Oral-B are promoting a four-step, comprehensive, at-home dental routine to help Hispanics prevent gum disease before it starts and maintain healthy teeth for years to come.
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease caused by build up of dental plaque. When left untreated it can progress to a more serious stage, periodontitis, a leading cause of tooth loss.
Moreover, the majority of adults do not realize that they may be affected by gingivitis as they are unaware of the symptoms, including reddened gums, swelling and bleeding.
"As an active member of the Hispanic dental community I am proud to be the spokesperson for this initiative to raise awareness in our community on how to help prevent and treat oral health conditions, like gingivitis," said Dr. Lugo.
"It is important to note that, if not treated in time, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, which can cause gums to separate from teeth and form pockets that become infected, resulting in loose teeth that may sometimes have to be removed. The good news is that gingivitis is both preventable and reversible with bi-annual dentist visits and, most importantly, an oral care routine done at home that includes specialized products which help kill and inhibit the bacteria that cause gingivitis, such as Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste," added Dr. Lugo.
As part of their initiative to help Hispanics protect their teeth and help stop gingivitis before it starts, Crest Pro-Health and Oral-B are promoting this four-step comprehensive at-home dental routine:
1. Brush twice a day with a toothbrush with bristles that are able to surround each tooth to clean the entire tooth surface and combat gingivitis-causing plaque that hides in hard-to-reach places like between the teeth and along the gum line, such as Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean Power Brush, which moves at nearly 8,000 times a minute to reduce up to two times more plaque than a regular manual brush.
2. Next, make sure to use specialized toothpaste designed to fight gingivitis, like Crest Pro Health toothpaste, to help kill and inhibit the bacteria that cause gingivitis.
3. Flossing at least once a day is an important step in the teeth cleaning process as it removes plaque and food particles between teeth and at the gum line where gingivitis starts. Crest's Glide Deep Clean Floss is made with GORE-TEX, a micro-textured material resistant to shredding, allowing it to slide comfortably between teeth and below the gum while lifting and removing plaque.
4. The final step is to rinse with an anti-gingivitis mouthwash, like Crest Pro-Health Oral Rinse, to remove leftover particles and kill the germs that cause plaque, gingivitis and bad breath, after brushing and flossing.
"It is troubling to see the high rate of adults who are affected by this preventable condition, including Hispanics," said Anelsie Ramos, External Relations Manager for P&G. "As part of our commitment to improve the lives of the communities we touch, we have launched this initiative with the help of Dr. Lugo to educate our Hispanic consumers on the proper oral care routine that will help them prevent gingivitis before it starts and protect the health of their gums and teeth."
References available upon request.
For more information on P&G's longstanding and committed relationship to the Hispanic community and for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands, visit P&G.
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