Groups work to raise awareness of gingivitis

Gingivitis is a serious oral health problem that can lead to many complications in the mouth and throughout the rest of the body. However, awareness of this serious health issue is relatively low, as many people do not consider it a significant problem.

In an effort to make more people aware of the damage that can be caused by gingivitis, oral healthcare providers across the country recently proclaimed September to be National Gingivitis Awareness Month. Groups will host events and launch campaigns to improve understanding of the disease.

The campaign is being organized, in part, by Congressman John Linder of Georgia. Before being elected to the national House of Representatives, Linder worked as a dentist, and said that he has seen firsthand the damage that gingivitis can cause.

"Gingivitis affects millions of Americans and should not be taken lightly. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to other health concerns such as tooth loss," he said. "Advanced gum disease has even been linked in some research to increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and increased risk of premature birth in pregnant women."