Warding off gum disease is crucial for diabetics

Colgate-Palmolive has launched the Colgate Total Diabetes Initiative in an effort to help healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, assist consumers in understanding the importance of oral care and the possible connection between oral health and overall body health.

Colgate claims that triclosan, an ingredient in Colgate Total Toothpaste, fights bacteria and gum inflammation or gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious and damaging stage of infection that results in gum inflammation.

According to Colgate, a recent study of more than 200 subjects examined the relationship between diabetes and severe chronic gum disease. The study results, Colgate said, indicate that diabetes patients had a greater level of severe chronic gum disease than subjects who did not have diabetes.

Colgate Total has a copolymer technology that's supposed to enhance the uptake and retention of triclosan on the teeth, the gums, and other oral tissues for 12 hours.

Here are some tips from Colgate that R.Ph.s can pass on to diabetes patients:

NIH recommends that diabetes patients do the following:

Colgate is offering a brochure in English and Spanish explaining the connection between diabetes and gum disease. The brochure includes a $1 coupon toward the purchase of Colgate Total toothpaste.

For more information, visit http://www.colgatetotal.com/.