For 20 years, October has heralded a special occasion for our gums and teeth. October 15th is the day when the Healthy Gums campaign begins, which has a single goal: to improve oral health. And while you might say that our gums and teeth are an individual thing, the fact is that we are concerned because more than 90 percent of people are dealing with periodontal disease. So, it's time to sweep away the myths and focus on important prevention.
The basis for a happy life is health, be it body, soul or our smile. And why neglect our best friend – the smile? look, healthy gums and shiny teeth they are not only attractive but also have a great impact on our overall health. So it's time to pay attention to our mouths.
First, some statistics: The National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) reports that only 68.4 percent of Slovenian residents between the ages of 18 and 74 brush their teeth at least twice a day. This means that we still have a lot of room for improvement. And if you might be wondering why we should even care about our teeth since they don't hurt us, get ready for a surprise.
More than 90 percent of Slovenians suffer from inflamed gums, but most of these problems do not cause pain, which means that we do not know about them. Well, inflamed gums are not just an aesthetic problem. The progression of periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, and inflammation in the oral cavity can also negatively affect general health. If you already have chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, gum inflammation is an additional reason for concern.
Photo: Marko Pigac
How to take care of healthy gums and shiny teeth
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The answer is simple: prevention. And there are many oral health professionals at your service in this mission. Every year, more than 1,200 experts participate in the Healthy Gums campaign, which raises awareness and educates people about the importance of oral hygiene. On average, this means that more than 65,000 individuals receive valuable advice on how to keep their smile shining.
What does perfect oral hygiene mean?
This means that you need to clean all surfaces of the teeth, even those that cannot be seen. And how do we do it? The most effective tools are a dense, gentle and soft toothbrush and interdental brushes. It is important not to be afraid of possible bleeding that may occur when you start using interdental brushes. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation, which is the result of poor oral hygiene. So, by taking care of proper hygiene, you will also eliminate bleeding.
Healthy gums campaign is not just a one-week event in dental offices. For 20 years, it has been working as an indispensable constant, raising awareness and educating people all over Slovenia. This year, more than 1,300 oral health professionals will participate in the campaign, which means that around 130,000 individuals will receive valuable information about perfect oral hygiene.
So join this revolution for healthy gums and a smile. Together we can achieve that we all have a reason to smile brightly and live a happy life!
