In an effort to heighten awareness on the importance of gum health, Systema, one of the leading oral care brands from Japan, launched its Be #GumProud campaign today, in conjunction with Gum Health Day when gum health awareness is promoted internationally. Collaborating with the Malaysia Society of Periodontology (MSP) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), the campaign aims to help Malaysians understand the importance of gum health and the know-how of gum care.
Speaking at the campaign launch, Dr. Noormi Binti Othman, Principal Director of Oral Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia highlighted the severity of gum disease in Malaysia. “According to the National Oral Health Survey for School Children in Malaysia (NOHSS, 2015), 99.6% of 12-year-old children experienced bleeding gums, which is an early stage and sign of gum disease. It is estimated in 2019 that 9.2% of adults aged 15 years and above suffer from severe periodontal disease according to the World Health Organization (2022),” she said.
A study conducted on Malaysian adults by Lion Corporation Japan, the owner of Systema brand, revealed that 80% of respondents had at least one visible sign or symptom of gum disease, but only 1% were aware that they had it. This shows that Malaysians generally have lower awareness towards the importance of gum health.
“Poor oral hygiene is a major behavioural risk factor coupled with other risk factors such as tobacco use. There is a need to teach and empower Malaysians to do self-oral health care before or after brushing their teeth, such as checking for conditions such as bleeding gums, food debris or swelling which helps with early detection of oral conditions. While the ministry has done a lot to prevent and control gum disease over the years through public education and awareness campaigns, as well as providing affordable and accessible dental services, we need to continue to reach out to the Malaysian public to get them to pay attention to the health of their gums and teeth,” said Dr. Noormi.
Similarly, Mr. Kazuo Mabuchi, Managing Director of Southern Lion, expressed his concern towards Malaysians’ alarmingly low awareness of the state of their gums. “Despite the common association of oral health with white teeth and fresh breath, a significant number of Malaysians may be unaware that healthy pink gums are just as important for maintaining our overall oral health. Systema, as a leading oral care brand from Lion Corporation Japan which has more than 130 years of expertise in periodontal care, we see our role in helping Malaysians to better care for their gums and impart knowledge on helping to achieve overall oral health. Strong teeth start with healthy gums. Be #GumProud calls out to Malaysians to be proud to show off their gums by protecting their gums and keeping them strong and healthy; and we are pleased to have the support of the Malaysia Society of Periodontology (MSP) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia in this national campaign” he said.
Be #GumProud aims to help Malaysians assess their gum health and gain better insights into its impact on dental health and teeth longevity. From May till end of June 2023, the public can go to Systema’s website to conduct online gum health assessment. Systema will also be conducting several roadshows to educate consumers about the importance of good oral hygiene practices and the role that gum health plays in keeping their teeth and overall health for a quality life. Consumers are encouraged to take this opportunity to examine their own gum health and take steps to improve it and redeem a free starter kit from Systema!
Over and above assessing one’s gum health, Mr. Mabuchi stressed on using the right oral care products to improve gum health. “At Southern Lion, we are committed to helping people achieve good gum and overall oral health by using the right toothpaste and toothbrush. Leveraging Systema’s strengths and technology in periodontal disease prevention from Japan, we have created a range of toothbrushes and toothpastes specially designed to protect the gums and help prevent gum problems while maintaining healthy teeth,” he said.
Also present at the campaign launch was Dr. Mohd Faizal Hafez Hidayat, Vice President of Malaysian Society of Periodontology (MSP). He explained the role of our gums: “Our gums protect our teeth. Without the correct gum care, bad bacteria find their way in and around our teeth, causing infection and inflammation. If not addressed at an early stage, it can lead to the destruction of the gum tissue or periodontitis, more commonly known as gum disease. Gum disease starts with plaque, a sticky bacteria-filled film, which builds up under and along the gum line. Besides that, gum disease may even increase the risk of osteoporosis, heart diseases, stroke, and diabetes,” explained Dr. Faizal.
Prevention of gum disease is important and oral health experts recommend developing the habit of maintaining healthy gums and teeth from a young age, which is especially helpful for early detection and prevention of gingivitis. With proper care and maintenance, our gums become the main line of defense in keeping our body in overall good health.
Start your Be
#GumProud journey today with a simple online assessment on your current gum health and try Systema products to protect your gums. For more information about Systema’s Be
#GumProud campaign, please visit:
https://gumhealthcheck.com
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