Dental News

What Diabetics Need to Know About Gum Disease

April 10, 2016

Learn why diabetics are at greater risk of gum disease and what to do about it.

What Diabetics Need to Know About Gum DiseaseIf you have diabetes, obviously blood sugar control is very important for your overall health. But did you know that your blood sugar can also affect your oral health?

Studies indicate that individuals with poor blood sugar control are at increased risk of gum disease, a potentially serious condition that can eventually lead to tooth loss. Here’s why:

  • When blood sugar is poorly controlled, high glucose levels in saliva promote the growth of the oral bacteria that cause gum disease.
  • Because diabetes slows circulation and reduces the body’s resistance to infection, diabetics are more likely to develop frequent and severe gum disease infections.
  • With a severe gum disease infection, more than just the gum pockets around teeth are affected. The infection can spread into the deeper supporting tissue and potentially even the bone, causing teeth to become so loose or so infected they must be removed.

Diabetics Need Frequent Dental Visits

If you are diabetic, it is very important that you visit the dentist frequently for checkups. Your dentist can help identify the early signs of mild gum disease infections, aka gingivitis. When gum disease is detected early, it is relatively easy to treat and you can avoid the severe damage to your gums, bone, and tissue that would otherwise result from uncontrolled gum disease.

Having your dentist on the lookout for gum disease can also help you learn to manage your diabetes better. After all, an infection could be a sign that your blood sugar is not as well-controlled as you think and you need to reconsider your diet and/or medications.

How to Treat Gum Disease

The main treatment for gum disease is simply improved oral hygiene. For minor cases of gingivitis, it may be sufficient to simply start brushing and flossing more diligently. Your dentist may also recommend that you start using a special mouthwash to help kill oral bacteria.

If you have a more serious gum disease infection, you dentist may suggest root scaling and planing. This is basically a deep cleaning for your mouth that helps remove oral bacteria from your gum pockets, while also smoothing your tooth roots to make it more difficult for bacteria to re-adhere to teeth below the gum line.

Need Help? Contact California Dental Group Today

At California Dental Group, we are passionate about preventative dental care and we will be happy to help you watch out for and control gum disease infections. Contact any of our clinic locations for your appointment.

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