Gum Health Awareness Day 2020

12th May 2020

This year, the BSP joins this worldwide initiative again to raise awareness of the importance of gum health with the UK public. More than 40 countries are joining Gum Health Day 2020 – from Europe, the Americas, Africa, Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.

“Say NO to bleeding gums” is the slogan for Gum Health Day 2020, to be celebrated on 12 May in the UK and around the world. Its goal is to raise awareness about bleeding gums and how they are usually a sign of gum disease and need urgent treatment at the dental practice – otherwise they may pose a risk to health.

Gingivitis, periodontitis, and peri-implantitis are chronic, inflammatory gum diseases that affect a significant number of adults in the UK and worldwide. Unfortunately, gum diseases are still poorly acknowledged, even though scientific evidence shows that they pose a threat, not only to our oral/dental health but also our general health. Gum disease is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, certain forms of cancer, pregnancy complications, erectile dysfunction, and other serious, chronic and/or systemic conditions.

This year, together with the kind support of GSK, producers of Corsodyl, the BSP is joining forces with our Undergraduate Representatives from UK dental and hygiene therapy schools to promote the campaign in and around the UK dental schools. The BSP seeks to raise public awareness of the importance of identifying bleeding gums as a sign of gum disease. This awareness initiative encourages people with bleeding gums to visit their dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist for a dental examination, including periodontal screening.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 crisis, our planned public events will be delayed until later in the year. We will still be promoting Gum Health Day via our social media platforms.

Oral hygiene and dental check-ups

“Gum Health Day 2020 aims to remind people that – even if still often overlooked – gum health is a key factor for general health and wellbeing throughout life, and that gum disease is an important public-health issue as it is linked to very serious conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes,” says Andreas Stavropoulos, coordinator of Gum Health Day 2020.

Gum diseases are usually painless, so the most frequent sign of suffering them is bleeding gums. “Gums are not supposed to bleed without reason,” notes Prof Stavropoulos. “If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or when you bite on food, for example an apple, go and visit your dentist for a periodontal check-up as soon as possible.”