Cos. help diabetics brush up on importance of oral care
When one thinks of oral care, a bright, white smile and fresh breath might be the first things to come to mind, but it is critical not to forget the relationship between oral health and diabetes. This is especially important today, as the economy may be forcing many consumers to put off dental visits.
Research has shown that if blood glucose levels are poorly controlled, diabetics are more likely to develop serious gum disease and lose more teeth than nondiabetics. Like all infections, serious gum disease may be a factor in causing blood sugar to rise, and may make diabetes harder to control. Other oral problems associated with diabetes include thrush, an infection caused by fungus that grows in the mouth, and dry mouth, which can cause soreness, ulcers, infections and cavities.
Coming off the heels of American Diabetes Month, several oral care manufacturers and retailers once again have stepped up to drive home the importance of proper oral care and the link to diabetes. Such efforts are vital as, according to the American Diabetes Association, 23.6 million children and adults in the United States—or 7.8% of the population—have diabetes.
Diabetes also pressures an already fragile U.S. healthcare system with a hefty price tag estimated at $174 billion—the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2007—according to the ADA.
Colgate-Palmolive, which has high penetration in the Hispanic market, has teamed up with the ADA to reach out specifically to Hispanics, a high-risk community. Roughly 2.5 million Hispanic Americans suffer from diabetes or prediabetes.
As part of this year’s outreach, Colgate-Palmolive targeted Hispanic Americans via in-store activities, educational materials and participation in the ADA’s 3rd Annual “Feria de Salud Por Tu Familia” festival. In addition, Colgate Total spokeswoman and journalist, Myrka Dellanos, supported the initiative by sharing her own experience living with diabetes and the importance of oral health.
On the retail side, Rite Aid, for example, announced in September the kickoff of its annual campaign on diabetes management by supporting the ADA and dLife, an online diabetes resource. At the core of Rite Aid’s awareness campaign is a free 16-page educational diabetes guide. But there also is, among several other resources, interactive content available year-round at www.riteaiddiabetes.com. Topics highlighted on the site include oral hygiene.