Educational campaign
urges Americans take action against highly prevalent, yet seriously overlooked periodontal
disease.
Chicago, IL – April 22, 2014 — In light of the recent prevalence
data that finds almost half of American adults age 30 and older are suffering
from periodontal disease, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is
launching a national consumer awareness campaign devoted to educating the
public on the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of periodontal
disease.
The campaign, “Love The Gums You’re With,” is aimed at teaching
Americans to take better care of their gums by implementing simple steps into
their routine, such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and receiving an
annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation from their general dental
professional or periodontist.
To gain national awareness and to help consumers better
understand periodontal disease, the AAP is teaming up with Chris Harrison, host
of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” to launch these efforts. In Harrison’s role as
Bachelor host, he has become a love guru of sorts, having garnered the
experience to know what goes into making a successful long-term relationship. Harrison will help patients understand how to
ensure a life-long relationship with healthy gums.
“On behalf of the AAP, we’re extremely excited to have the
opportunity to educate the public about the high prevalence of periodontal
disease,” shares Stuart J. Froum, DDS, president of the American Academy of
Periodontology, clinical professor, and director of clinical research at New
York University’s Department of Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. “We’re
hopeful that increased awareness about this common disease and its link to
other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid
arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and even cancer, will drive more patients to visit
their dental practitioner and focus on preventive care and early treatment, if
necessary.”
Over the course of the campaign, patients may visit their
dentist or a periodontal specialist for additional information about
periodontal disease prevention and treatment. You may contact your referral periodontist
or visit perio.org for more information.
About the American
Academy of Periodontology:
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the
professional organization for periodontists – specialists in the prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting
structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists
are also dentistry’s experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. They
receive three additional years of specialized training following dental school,
and periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the
American Dental Association. The AAP has 8,300 members worldwide. For more
information visit perio.org.
