CERRITOS, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/11/13 -- February has officially been declared "Gum Disease Awareness Month" in an effort to draw public attention to the dangers and widespread nature of the disease. Gum disease is one of the most common diseases in the United States -- more prevalent than cancer, heart disease, even arthritis! The consequences can be serious, but the condition can be treated in every patient. Gum disease treatment options range from regular check-ups to conventional gum surgery, with laser gum surgery as the patient-friendly alternative.

Twenty-one (21) states have already adopted Gum Disease Awareness Month in order to educate citizens about the widespread health threat of gum disease and the importance of prevention and treatment. These include: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Mounting university research links gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, pre-term and still births as well as certain cancers. Over 85% of Americans adults suffer from some degree of gum disease, but fewer than half are diagnosed. Often symptoms of gum disease are ignored until the disease is in advanced stages, when tooth loss is common.

To learn more about gum disease, risk factors, early warning signs and treatment options, including a patient-friendly laser treatment alternative, visit www.fightgumdisease.com or join the movement at www.facebook.com/fightgumdisease and www.twitter.com/fightgumdisease.

ABOUT GUM DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH: Gum Disease Awareness Month is an annual event aimed at helping people make lifelong improvements in their health and quality of life by sharing information and spreading awareness of the risk factors, signs and symptoms, and treatment options available in the fight against gum disease. With a key message of encouragement to take an active role in preventing gum disease, recognizing risk factors, getting diagnosed and seeking treatment -- the initiative is supported by the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry, a non-profit educational and research center dedicated to providing evidence-based clinical training in laser dentistry therapies. For more information, visit www.fightgumdisease.com.

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