Gum Health Day 2024.
The Dental Health Foundation is delighted to support Gum Health Day.
Launched 10 years ago, Gum Health Day aims to inform the general public about the
detrimental effects of gum diseases (gingivitis, periodontitis, peri-implant mucositis, and
peri-implantitis) on both oral and general health, and the advantages of keeping their
gums healthy from a young age.
“We felt that we needed to target Gum Health Day 2024 at young people, as they are
not necessarily aware of the role played by their gum health in their overall health, so
they may feel less concerned about them,” explains Dr. Mia Rakic, Gum Health Day
2024 co-ordinator.
Gum diseases are associated with major systemic health issues including diabetes,
myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, chronic kidney disease, adverse pregnancy
outcomes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimers disease, erectile dysfunction, certain forms
of cancer, and other systemic diseases. By taking care of our gums, we all can easily
start preventing those problems right away – as a healthy smile can pave the way to a
healthier lifestyle and save money in the future.
According to a recent white paper published by the Economist Impact called “Time to
put your money where your mouth is: addressing inequalities in oral health”, oral
diseases impact nearly half the world's population, surpassing the burden of most
common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as mental disorders, cancer,
diabetes and cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases.
“This is how we can help Generation Z to recognise the pivotal role their gums play in
self-esteem and overall wellbeing. Our campaign aims to inspire young people to lead a
positive change in how society views gum health, emphasising its importance beyond
oral hygiene, and shed light on the work of periodontists,” Dr. Rakic highlights.
For more on gum disease and how to prevent it click here