It’s a fact: People with diabetes are often more susceptible than the average person to infections. That’s part of the reason the periodontal disease can be of particular concern to people who are diabetic. But that isn’t the whole story of the interaction between gum disease and diabetes.
A smartly chosen dental team can work with you to help you control periodontitis and other oral health concerns that interact with diabetes. Periodontal disease can cause tooth loss when untreated, and that tooth loss starts as a simple gum infection. The infection eventually consumes gum tissue and bone, leaving pockets where even more bacteria can grow. And disaster results.
By definition, diabetic people have excess sugar in the blood, and that’s an oral health concern as well. Plus, heart disease and stroke, which are connected with periodontal disease, are also common in people with diabetes.
Details On The Connection
People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing gum disease
The connection between diabetes and gum disease is largely based on the fact that both can spiral uncontrollably if not well-managed. Here are some other important ways the two health concerns are interconnected:
Blood sugar uptick. Gum disease involves bacteria that feed on sugar in the mouth, and those with diabetes have more sugar in their blood and saliva than average. That means bacteria have more food so they can flourish, and, in turn, a flourishing bacterial infection can throw the system off balance, further raising blood sugar.
Blood vessel thickening. Blood vessel walls often thicken in people with diabetes because of damage from sugar in the blood. These thicker blood vessels are less effective than average in carrying away waste, leading to greater sugar, bacteria, plaque and periodontitis in the mouth.
Smoking. While not everyone with diabetes smokes, diabetics who do smoke find that their healing process is slowed, increasing the likelihood of developing gum disease and making it worse when it happens, further contributing to reduced oral and overall health.
Poor oral hygiene. The best thing a person with diabetes can do to stave off gum disease is practice excellent oral hygiene so that harmful sugar in the mouth, from whatever source, is cleaned away frequently and not left in place for it to do damage that contributes to the downward spiral of both diseases.
Gum Disease Treatment For Diabetics
There’s no better way for people with diabetes or anyone else to establish and maintain oral health than to visit a San Diego Dentist Association member at least twice a year or as recommended by the dental team once you’re established with them. Professional teeth cleaning removes tartar, plaque and reduces gum pocket size so that sugar can’t remain in the mouth as easily.
Your dentist can speak with you about your medical conditions, family history and perform a visual examination of your teeth plus take digital x-rays and perhaps perform other tests to assess your gum disease situation.
If you have gum disease and diabetes, you may be asked to consider treatments such as an extra-thorough cleaning of your teeth called deep scaling, the associated root planing procedure, gum recontouring, pocket reduction surgery, and more.
Your best bet for longevity and gum health is to visit a dentist regularly, take their advice seriously regarding oral hygiene and do everything possible at home to keep your teeth and gums in good health. Whether you have diabetes, think you might have this condition, or just want to talk about your gum health, the right dentist can offer solutions to every oral and dental concern.
To see how a San Diego Dentist Association member can help, all you have to do is call. Why not reach out now for your first appointment?
To make an appointment for a gum disease screening, call (619) 745-6870