A Strong Connection Between Overall Health and Oral Health Means It’s Time for Hispanics to Start Focusing on Their Teeth!

Posted on: November 17th, 2008
Filed Under: [ Health ] [ Press Releases ]

The Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health states that good oral health is essential to good general health. The connection between the two is especially important for Hispanics as the bacteria associated with periodontal (gum) disease is shown to have a link to certain diseases that greatly affect the Hispanic population, including diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke and respiratory problems.

As part of an ongoing effort to better serve the Hispanic community, Colgate Total and its spokesperson, Myrka Dellanos, are educating Latinos on the importance of brushing with an anti-bacterial toothpaste, such as Colgate Total, and maintaining good oral hygiene to manage diabetes and other health conditions.

This famous journalist known for her beautiful Colgate smile knows this first hand because she was diagnosed with diabetes a year ago. After learning about the association between oral health and overall health, Myrka decided to empower herself and her community, and has committed to educating Hispanics on the importance of oral health. “Who would have thought that what goes on in your mouth can severely affect the rest of your body and what goes on in the rest of your body can have an effect on your mouth? I’ve learned that poor oral health can make diabetes more difficult to control because severe chronic gum disease may impact a diabetic’s ability to control blood glucose,” says Myrka.

Spreading the Word during World Diabetes Day
November 14th is World Diabetes Day, a day dedicated to the 246 million people around the world and the 2.5 million Hispanic Americans who suffer from diabetes or insulin resistance syndrome (pre-diabetes). As part of World Diabetes Day, Myrka is speaking out on behalf of diabetes awareness and the correlation between oral health and diabetes. As a person living well with this disease, she is calling attention to the fact that serious gum disease may affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes. Research also suggests that people with diabetes are at higher risk for oral health problems, such as gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease) and periodontitis (serious gum disease).

“Colgate-Palmolive is dedicated to improving the health of Hispanics and educating them on oral health. On World Diabetes Day we would like to raise awareness on how good oral health can help in living well with diabetes as well as helping to maintain good overall health,” says David Cardona, Marketing Director, U.S. Multicultural Marketing for Colgate-Palmolive.

Myrka advises all Hispanics to always remain active, eat healthy and nutritious food, and brush their teeth regularly with anti-bacterial toothpaste. She knows that being aware of how to be in control of your diabetes can make all the difference in your day-to-day life, and having good and consistent oral care can be a key to better managing this disease. For more information on diabetes and its effects on oral health, please visit www.colgatetotal.com/espanol.

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 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 pet foods. For more information about Colgate’s global business, visit the Company’s web site at www.colgate.com.
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