The Link Between Diabetes And Periodontal Disease

Diabetic patients are familiar with the myriad health problems that can result from the disease. It is important to note that diabetes and periodontitis are often interconnected.

The condition that affects gums and bones in the mouth is referred to as a periodontal disease. In diabetics with poorly controlled blood sugar levels, there is a high incidence of gum and teeth problems.

Gum disease is more likely to occur if you have a lack of control over your blood sugar. The disease even puts your teeth at greater risk of loss of teeth.

A person with diabetes who controls their blood sugar well may be in far better shape compared to those who do not control their blood sugar well, and their teeth also stay in better condition. 

So, to know more about the link between diabetes and periodontal disease keep on reading

How does diabetes affect your teeth? 

Diabetes increases the risk of bacterial infections in the human body, also hindering the body’s ability to fight off foreign organisms that penetrate the gums and dental bones. 

Diabetes patients are mostly unaware of this occurring thus putting their oral health at risk. In diabetics, tooth and gum problems are much more prevalent because glucose levels are higher for longer periods than in non-diabetics.

Bacteria flourish in high blood-sugar environments. It won’t be long until the gums of a diabetic will start bleeding easily when brushed due to soreness, redness, and swelling. In almost every case, that results in Periodontitis which is a type of gum disease. 

Symptoms of this gum disease include inflammation in the gums and bone supporting our teeth. Infections worsen over time, causing one’s gums to separate from the teeth, creating pockets. In the absence of treatment, these pockets enlarge and can cause various other issues. 

Diabetic patients should immediately see a dentist to begin preventive or reactionary treatment. The precautionary measures taken are essential for preventing infections caused by harmful bacteria.

What can you do to break the link?

The treatment of periodontal disease in diabetics and non-diabetics is relatively the same. For diabetics, however, the disease can be more dangerous, so treatment needs to be more aggressive since the disease can be more damaging. 

Periodontal patients may ask why they cannot simply have regular cleanings like other people and the answer to that is regular cleanings are done when the patient is not suffering from bone loss or infection.

Patients should be treated immediately once the dentist notices bleeding gums, redness, or difficulty in brushing or chewing a prominent sign. After completing the treatment of the initial infection patients can have dental regular cleanings. 

Many gum and tooth issues can be controlled with regular dental cleanings. Putting off proper cleanings for a longer period of time may lead to huge long-term consequences. 

Patients may sometimes be recommended scaling and root planning by a dentist instead of a filling if they are suffering from periodontal diseases. Once a periodontist has thoroughly evaluated your mouth, he will recommend these options. 

However, in case of any bone loss, the treatment options will differ. Combined gum decay and bone loss when left untreated will result in irreversible tooth loss

Lastly, taking your medication after proper diagnosis is very necessary. And flowing a proper diet and oral care routine is a bone to treating gum diseases quickly.   

Along with maintaining strong blood sugar control, you must also avoid smoking. Vsiting your dentist regularly and brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day should be on the top of your list.