Diabetes and gum disease are closely connected, and understanding this relationship is essential for protecting both your oral health and overall well-being. High blood sugar can increase the risk for gum disease, while advanced periodontal disease can make it harder to manage your diabetes. Understanding how diabetes affects your teeth and gums can help you take steps to prevent gum infections, tooth decay, and other oral health issues.
How Does Diabetes Affect Your Gums and Oral Health?
Diabetes can cause changes in the way your mouth fights infection. High blood sugar creates an environment where bacteria and plaque can thrive around the teeth, increasing the risk for gum disease. Gum disease is an infection of the gums and bones that hold the teeth in place, and diabetes significantly increases the risk of periodontal disease compared to a person without diabetes.
Diabetes can also increase the severity of oral health issues. For example, uncontrolled diabetes may lead to dry mouth, which reduces saliva and increases the risk of tooth decay. Gum infection and inflammation are more common in people with diabetes, making it essential to maintain good oral health through proper dental care and regular dental visits.
What Is the Link Between Diabetes and Gum Disease?
The link between diabetes and gum disease is two-way. Gum disease may make it harder to control your blood sugar, and diabetes can also increase your risk for gum disease. Studies from the American Dental Association and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases indicate that gum disease and diabetes have a complex interrelationship.
When the gums around the teeth pull away, the space between the teeth and gums can become a trap for bacteria. This leads to loss around the teeth, receding gums around the teeth, and sometimes even bone loss around the teeth. An advanced stage of gum disease can cause significant damage to the bone that supports the teeth, increasing the risk of tooth loss.
What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease Related to Diabetes?
Symptoms of gum disease may start subtly but progress rapidly if blood sugar levels are uncontrolled. Warning signs include:
- Red, swollen gums around your teeth
- Bleeding while brushing and flossing
- Receding gums around the teeth and visible root surfaces of the teeth
- Persistent bad breath
- Loose teeth due to loss around the teeth
The early stages of the disease, also called early gum disease, are easier to manage with proper dental care. However, if the disease is advanced, gum surgery like LANAP may be needed to restore gum health. Treating oral health problems early is crucial to preventing severe complications.
Why Do People With Diabetes Have More Mouth Problems?
Diabetes affects your mouth in several ways. High blood sugar levels weaken the body’s natural ability to fight off infections, which allows bacteria in plaque to cause gum inflammation. Diabetes causes blood vessels to thicken, reducing the flow of nutrients and the ability to remove waste from the gum tissue.
Uncontrolled diabetes also increases the risk of problems linked to diabetes, such as kidney disease, and can contribute to oral health issues like dry mouth, gum infection, and tooth decay. Diabetes and some medicines used to treat diabetes can also cause side effects that affect saliva, creating more mouth problems.
How Can You Prevent Gum Disease If You Have Diabetes?
Prevent gum disease by combining good oral hygiene with effective diabetes management. Here are steps to help keep your mouth healthy:
- Brush and floss your teeth daily to remove plaque around your teeth
- Visit a dentist for regular dental check-ups and cleanings
- Manage your diabetes with the help of your healthcare provider
- Control your blood sugar level to prevent gum infections
- Use fluoride toothpaste and antibacterial rinses if recommended by your dentist
Taking good care of your teeth not only protects your gums but also helps you manage your diabetes better. Diabetes management and regular dental care work in tandem to maintain your teeth and gums’ health.
Can Gum Disease Make Diabetes Worse?
Yes. Gum disease may make it harder to manage your diabetes because infections raise your blood glucose level. In fact, gum disease in a person without diabetes can lead to higher blood sugar, making diabetes that isn’t controlled well even more difficult to stabilize.
This is why managing diabetes and preventing gum disease are equally important. Disease can cause inflammation around the teeth, and in turn, high blood sugar makes the body less effective at fighting these infections. The cycle can be broken with appropriate dental care and effective diabetes management.
When Should You See a Dentist About Diabetes and Gum Disease?
If you have diabetes and notice symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding gums, receding gums, or loose teeth, it is recommended that you visit a dentist promptly. A dentist can diagnose periodontal disease, recommend treatment, and help prevent further damage to the bone around the teeth.
Regular dental check-ups are vital for people with diabetes because the disease can lead to advanced problems if left untreated. Whether you are in the early stages of the disease or dealing with a more advanced stage of gum issues, professional dental care can make a significant difference.
Protecting your teeth and gums is an essential part of managing diabetes. For expert dental care, schedule an appointment with Laser Smile Solutions today by calling (877) 440-3564.