v KEEP FIT & HEALTHY WITH THE HERALD v Page 50 • The HERALD • 14th May 2026 Health, Beauty & Wellbeing CHIROPODY/PODIATRY 07895 691290 Kerry Grassick BSc (Hons) Podiatry MRCPod KG PODIATRY First Floor, South Street Shopping Centre, Hythe SO45 6EB * LIFT ACCESS * Email: kerrythepodiatrist@gmail.com www.kgpodiatry.co.uk FOUR SEASONS DENTURE CENTRE MORE THAN JUST A DENTAL LABORATORY If you want the best quality dentures in a relaxed, friendly and professional environment then call today for a free consultation Tel: 023 8084 6443 Mobile: 07919 074360 1 HOUR DENTURE REPAIRS North Road, Dibden Purlieu, Southampton SO45 4RE NEED NEW DENTURES? The next Herald is out on 4th June THE MOUTH IS THE OPENING TO THE WHOLE BODY What do healthy gums have to do with cardiovascular health, diabetes, and everyday wellbeing? More than most people realise. ese connections highlight why oral health should no longer be seen as separate from overall health. e mouth is the window on the body! 12th May was Gum Health Day, which saw the launch of a new global campaign designed to place oral health at the centre of the whole health conversation, empowering people to take control of their wellbeing. is initiative by the European Federation of Periodontology, led by its communication & engagement committee, marks the start of a three-year international campaign under the motto “Gum Health Day: Empowering Lives.” It aims to raise awareness of the importance of healthy gums, encourage early action at the rst signs of problems, and make prevention a key part of everyday life. “Gum diseases are among the most common health conditions worldwide. They often begin silently, with symptoms such as bleeding gums or persistent bad breath that are easy to ignore,” explains Professor Spyros Vassilopoulos, EFP past president and chair of the federation’s communication & engagement committee. “Left untreated, they can lead to tooth loss but have also been linked to broader health issues. Yet they are largely preventable with good daily care and regular dental check-ups.” Gum disease may affect much more than your mouth ere is growing scienti c evidence which suggests that gum disease is linked to several serious health conditions. Studies have found connections between during hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Some studies have also suggested a possible association between periodontitis and breast cancer, and research has also found a link between gum disease and erectile dysfunction. “Healthy gums support quality of life, confidence, and long-term health, yet gum diseases are still widely underestimated,” explains professor Vassilopoulos. “They influence how people feel, live, and engage with everyday life. The Gum Health Day campaign helps raise awareness and make the link of good gum health to overall wellbeing.” What you can do to protect your oral health • Brush your teeth and oss daily to remove plaque and bacteria • Visit your dentist or oral health team regularly, ideally twice a year • Eat a balanced diet rich in whole foods and limit added sugars • Stop smoking, which signi cantly increases the risk of gum disease • Pay attention to early signs of gum disease such as bleeding gums, swelling, or persistent bad breath For more information about the campaign and how to get involved, visit: efp.org/gumhealthday periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke. The impact is also significant for people with diabetes. ose who have both diabetes and gum disease are more likely to develop severe complications affecting the eyes and kidneys and face a higher risk of death compared with people with diabetes alone. Gum disease can also a ect women di erently from men, particularly Hythe Memory Group Hythe Memory Group meet up every Monday, from 2pm to 3.15pm at Cornerstone (Hythe URC), New Road, Hythe. Families Matter run the support group which o ers cognitive stimulation therapy for people with early stage dementia. It encourages people to socialise and have fun learning and remembering together. Carers are also welcome to stay and have a cup of tea and chat to other carers. For further information and to reserve your place please contact the Families Matter o ce on: 023 8020 7623 or email: o ce.fm.hurc@gmail.com Places are limited and need to be booked in advance. New Men’s Mental Fitness Group With Talk Club Finally, a library asking you to talk! Hythe Library have started a new men’s mental tness group with Talk Club. Drop in between 10am-12pm on Saturdays to meet their trained captain, Paul. It’s a free, safe, con dential space for men to be honest and vulnerable.
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