Teaming up with the American Diabetes Association and the multi-talented performer Joey Fatone, Colgate Total is using the power of laughter to help raise awareness of the potential link between oral health and diabetes with the new “30 Days of Laughter” campaign (#30DaysofLOL).

The 30 days from November 12 to December 11, 2015 will be filled with laugh-out-loud videos, funny social media posts, engaging apps and more to make the diabetes community laugh, all while building awareness of the importance of maintaining the health of the teeth and gums behinds those smiles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with diabetes are two times more likely to develop gum disease. Colgate Total toothpaste can help prevent and even reverse gingivitis, the most common form of gum disease. It is the only FDA-approved and American Dental Association-accepted toothpaste to help prevent gingivitis. With regular twice daily brushing, you can help improve your gum health in as little as four weeks with Colgate Total.

Joey Fatone Sr. with son Joey Fatone Jr.

Understanding how challenging managing diabetes can sometimes be, Fatone is leading the “30 Days of Laughter” campaign to remind people that sometimes laughter can feel like the best medicine. “When my father was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, our family was shocked. But we’re a big, loving group and we all help him together every day. I know that humor in the face of challenges is vital and I’m excited to share that with other families touched by diabetes.”

Colgate Total has also teamed up with mySugr, the leading digital diabetes company that aims to “make diabetes suck less.” Together, they will launch the Monster Selfie app to help create moments of laughter that are captured on camera and can be instantly shared with friends. The Monster Selfie app is now available for download for iOS and Android.

“Not many people with diabetes know about the increased risks of developing gum disease or how oral health may can affect overall health,” says said Dr. Foti Panagakos, global director of scientific affairs and research at Colgate-Palmolive. “30 Days of Laughter” will help bring awareness and prevention to this community with a bit of healthy laughter along the way.”

Additionally, three health advocates have joined the “30 Days of Laughter” campaign to spread laughter and awareness of the potential link between diabetes and oral health:

• Divabetic  – Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek promotes prevention, early action and education with a “glam more, fear less” philosophy. “Be bold and sassy about your diabetes. Don’t get down, get DIVA!”
• Diabetesaliciousness  – Kelly Kunik’s mission is to spread diabetes validation through humor, ownership & advocacy. “I am more than the sum of my parts — including my beautiful, busted pancreas.”
• Sofrito for Your Soul  – George “Urban Jibaro” Torres blogs about his experiences on what it means to be Latino in the U.S., including how he manages his own Type 2 diabetes.

Online and across social media channels, the diabetes community can find and share funny tips, stories and images and more by searching with and using #30DaysofLOL across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. More information is available at OralHealthandDiabetes.com and diabetes.org.