Gum Health Day 2021

Gum Health Day is an international awareness day held every year on 12 May. Its aim is to increase public awareness of the seriousness of gum disease, the health problems associated with it, and the importance of keeping our gums strong and healthy. Spearheaded by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), their slogan for Gum Health Day 2021 is ‘Gum diseases are preventable’. 

This year's campaign intends to raise public awareness of the signs and symptoms of gum diseases - gingivitis, periodontitis, and peri-implantitis. Bad breath and loose teeth can indicate gum disease, tooth sensitivity may be a consequence of periodontitis, and smoking is an important risk factor for gum diseases. Periodontitis is of paramount importance because it is a complex, chronic condition associated with serious systemic diseases.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the BSP is unable to promote the initiative by holding public events and will instead focus on sharing resources via our website and running an active social media campaign. We are joined by other National Societes in our aim to make millions of people worldwide aware not only that gum diseases are serious, chronic, inflammatory conditions that may negatively affect overall health and quality of life, but also that they are preventable and treatable. The campaign advice is for people to visit their dental team.

The EFP has produced a set of three short animations, together with posters, to promote the key messages. In addition, the BSP has created a series of short videos to help raise awareness and inform patients about the signs and symptoms of gum disease. Please feel free to download this year's resources and share them in your practice waiting rooms and on your social media platforms. Let's join together in raising public awareness of gum disease and encouraging people to visit their dentist, hygienist or therapist.

Our mission is to raise awareness of the importance of good oral health. Gum disease is preventable and the BSP has created a series of short videos to help explain some of the signs and symptoms to look out for. If you have any concerns you should visit your dentists, hygienist or therapist for advice.

The series of short, animated videos produced by the EFP for Gum Health Day 2021 are due to be released on 4 May, ahead of the annual awareness day on 12 May. The EFP have used humour to highlight various oral-health problems and to encourage people to visit their dentist, hygienist or therapist. The three 30-second videos have a common message, “Gum diseases are preventable”, and a simple call to action “Visit your dental team”. Each one focuses on a different factor that can be a sign of gum disease or can play a role in provoking it: bad breath, sensitive teeth and smoking.

The History of Gum Health Day

It seeks to remind people, including medical professionals and policymakers, that gum health is a key factor for overall health throughout life, and that gum disease is a relevant public-health concern because it is linked to serious conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and maybe even Covid-19 complications. Gum health is relatively easy to maintain and may contribute to preventing many more serious conditions and thereby to considerable savings in medical costs.

Gum Health Day 2021 is the eighth EFP-promoted annual awareness day implemented by the National Societies of Periodontology. This initiative is now global in its reach and impact.

Last year, Gum Health Day 2020 was joined by 35 National Societies from Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. The campaign centred around the slogan, “Say no to bleeding gums”. The previous year, 47 National Societies embraced the slogan, “Healthy gums, beautiful smile” for Gum Health Day 2019.