Gum Disease and Diabetes: What You Need to Know

If You’re Living with Diabetes, Gum Disease May be Lurking Nearby.

Nearly 30 million Americans are living with diabetes, which puts them at a higher risk for developing a number of oral health conditions. Gum disease, in particular, is prevalent among people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Whether it’s gingivitis (early gum disease) or periodontitis (advanced gum disease), gum disease and diabetes share a deep connection in regards to the quality of your health. Let’s explore how gum disease and diabetes affect each other, how to identify gum disease and what you can do to control/prevent both conditions.

Periodontal Disease and the Connection to Diabetes

Nearly 1 out of 2 U.S adults over the age of 30 are affected by this inflammatory condition; so, how do those living with diabetes fall into this statistic? The key lies in your body’s defenses. Diabetes impairs the body’s ability to fight off infections, which puts those affected at risk for gum disease.

Gum disease (or periodontal disease) is an infection of the gums and surrounding tissue. This infection causes a build-up of a sticky film comprised of saliva, food and germs–this is known as plaque. Plaque accumulates over time and hardens the gum-line and leads to tartar, one of the main causes of cavities and tooth decay. Common warning signs of gum disease include:

Bleeding gums (both before and after brushing)
A persistent bad taste or odor in the mouth
Tender, swollen gums
Receding gums

The same way that diabetes can open the doors to oral conditions such as gum disease, gum disease has its own effects on the severity of diabetes. Advanced levels of gum disease makes it harder to control blood glucose levels, which can increase the severity of this metabolic condition.

How to Avoid Gum Disease When Living With Diabetes

Certain lifestyle changes are necessary to keep diabetes under control, and the same applies to keeping gum disease away. To maintain control over both conditions, be sure to:

Keep blood glucose levels under control
Maintain a regular oral health regimen–this includes both brushing and flossing
Schedule routine dental visits (which include thorough examinations and teeth cleanings) and be sure to inform your dentist of your condition
Follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen; what you eat is especially important to keeping diabetes at bay.
Stay away from candy, sugary drinks foods containing simple carbohydrates (such as breads and pasta). These linger in your mouth and break down into sugars which promotes tooth decay

People living with diabetes should be especially attentive to their dental needs. At Beaufils Dental, we are attentive to the needs of all of our Cooper City patients. We also understand that those living with diabetes require special treatment while in the dental chair. Did you know that a dentist can identify the symptoms of conditions such as diabetes? It all starts with a simple dental exam Gum disease and diabetes may go hand-in-hand, but so does a healthy body and a healthy smile. For more information on the connection between gum disease and diabetes, call us today at 954-252-1390 to schedule an appointment.