ebruary marks the 6th annual Gum Disease Awareness Month, a grassroots-turned-global movement to educate the public about the overwhelming prevalence and consequences of gum disease, as well as treatment and prevention methods. Launched by The Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD) in 2012, its goal is to make sure patients and doctors are fully aware of the severity untreated gum disease can have on the body.

Recognized in all 50 U.S. states as well as the territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands, Gum Disease Awareness Month is an opportunity for all dental professionals to discuss the signs and symptoms of the disease, medically known as periodontitis.

The consequences of untreated gum disease go far beyond tooth loss. Gum disease has been linked to systemic illnesses including:

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• Alzheimer's

• Diabetes

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Cancer including prostate cancer and breast cancer

• Still birth, pre-term birth, low birth weight

• Erectile dysfunction

• Infertility

FightGumDisease.com is the premier patient educational resource on gum disease including treatment options. Select treatments are more successful at eliminating the disease-causing bacteria and endotoxins; and successful treatment is the key to sustaining oral health. Successful periodontal treatment has also shown to decrease total health care cost.

Dental fear remains a crucial factor in treatment acceptance; patients increasingly seek minimally-invasive treatment options. Only the LANAP protocol, FDA-cleared to regenerate the alveolar bone and supporting tissues, has scientific evidence to support claims of regeneration.

"We could not be more proud that the entire United States and several territories officially recognize Gum Disease Awareness Month," said Dawn M. Gregg, DDS, Training Director for the IALD. "This movement continues to grow, as it should, to educate patients about the importance of oral health respective to total health. Together, we can expose this silent killer."

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED LASER DENTISTRY:

The IALD is a non-profit educational and research center dedicated to providing evidence-based clinical training in advanced laser dentistry therapies. Formed in 1999, the IALD is ADA-CERP and AGD-PACE accredited and nationally recognized for its continuing education programs. The IALD's ultimate goal is for the percentage of patients seeking periodontal treatment to reach the percentage of patients seeking general dental care.