Colgate Total® Launches “Small Steps Make a Big Difference” Campaign in Collaboration with the American Diabetes Association
A Team of Experienced Doctors and Dentists Aim to Empower Americans Living with Diabetes with Education and Information About the Association Between Oral Health and Diabetes
Haga clic para ver este comunicado de prensa en Español.
Colgate Total has teamed up w/ @AmDiabetesAssn to help teach about the connection b/w #oralhealth & #diabetesTweet
Both gum disease and diabetes have reached concerning levels in the U.S. More than 75% of adults experience some form of gum disease. Nearly one in ten American adults live with diabetes , and the prevalence of diabetes is even higher among certain populations: 12.8 percent of U.S. Hispanic and 13.2 percent African-American adults live with diabetes, compared to 7.6 percent of non-Hispanic whites.1 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people living with diabetes are two times as likely to develop gum disease2. That’s because people with diabetes are generally more susceptible to infections and less able to fight germs that invade the gums.
To better equip people with diabetes and their families with resources to take care of their smiles, Colgate Total® has teamed up with “Small Steps Make a Big Difference” experts. Some members of the expert panel will make appearances at health events across the U.S., including the American Diabetes Association’s Step Out®: Walk to Stop Diabetes® that is being held in Los Angeles on November 15, and providing “small steps” tips via social media in English and Spanish. Experts include:
- Natalie Strand, M.D. - CMO Freedom Pain Hospital, VP Integrative Medical Services and co-author of upcoming book A Woman’s Guide to Diabetes. Twitter: @DrNatStrand
- Marjorie Cypress, PhD, C-ANP, CDE - President, Health Care & Education of the American Diabetes Association
- Karent Sierra, DDS - Miami-based bilingual dentist and founder of Sharing Smiles Foundation. Twitter: @KarentSierra
- Catrise Austin, DDS - Celebrity cosmetic dentist and author of Winning the Fight Against Diabetes: The secrets to living longer and healthier with a smile! Twitter: @DrCatriseAustin
In tandem with the American Diabetes Association, Colgate Total® launched a nationwide survey of 1,555 members of the Association to better understand how respondents perceive oral health. The survey revealed:
- 38% of people surveyed don’t agree or don’t know that oral health problems can be a complication of poorly managed diabetes
- Over 36% of people living with diabetes or prediabetes currently have oral health problems, making it the third most common medical condition for those surveyed with diabetes or prediabetes
- Over 90% of people surveyed have experienced at least one oral health issue despite the fact that nearly 69% of those surveyed report making at least one trip to the dentist every year
More information on the connection between oral health and diabetes and small steps to improve gum health are available at www.OralHealthAndDiabetes.com and www.SaludOralyDiabetes.com in Spanish.
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About Colgate Total® Toothpaste
Colgate Total® toothpaste has a formula clinically proven to actively fight germs for 12 hours. It is the only toothpaste FDA-approved and American Dental Association-accepted to help prevent gingivitis.5 Colgate Total® toothpaste also is the number-one toothpaste recommended most by dentists and hygienists. For more information about Colgate Total® toothpaste, visit www.ColgateTotal.com.
About Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate-Palmolive sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Mennen, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, Elmex, Tom's of Maine, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, and Suavitel, as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet. For more information about Colgate-Palmolive's global business, visit the Company's web site at www.Colgate.com. To learn more about Colgate's global oral health education program, Bright Smiles, Bright FuturesTM, please visit http://www.colgatebsbf.com.
1CDC, National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2014: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/national-diabetes-report-web.pdf
2CDC, National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2011: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf
3Results improve with continued twice daily use, as shown in 6 month clinical studies of the general population. Data on file. Colgate Palmolive Company.
4An online quantitative survey was fielded via social media posts on the American Diabetes Association National Twitter and Facebook pages. Survey population included people with diabetes, with pre-diabetes and without diabetes.
5Colgate Total® toothpaste is approved through the New Drug Application process to help prevent plaque, gingivitis, and cavities. Not approved for the prevention or treatment of serious gum disease or other diseases.