Studying to become a dentist involves a lot more than learning about cavities and how to teach patients the right way to brush their teeth. One of the most important things we learn as dentists is how to treat patients who are experiencing a range of health conditions and also how those conditions will affect their oral health.
In this post, we're going to talk about a well-known connection between your overall physical health and your oral health, with a specific focus on diabetes and gum disease. Here are 3 things you should know if you have gum disease and have or are at risk for diabetes.
People with Diabetes are More Likely to Develop Gum Disease
According to the American Academy of Periodontolgy, people who have diabetes are more likely to have gum disease than people without diabetes. Along with heart, nerve, kidney, and eye diseases, periodontal disease is often considered one of the main complications of diabetes.
You are More Likely to Lose Teeth if You Have Poor Diabetic Control
Managing your blood sugar levels is beneficial to your oral health if you have diabetes. Poor blood sugar levels cause higher glucose levels in your mouth, which helps bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease thrive. Periodontal disease breaks down the tissue that surrounds your teeth, which puts you at a much higher risk for tooth loss. Prevent early tooth loss by making sure to monitor your blood sugar levels!
Diabetes Makes it Harder for Your Mouth to Clean Itself
One of the primary functions of saliva in your mouth is to help keep itself clean. Saliva is used to wash food off the surfaces of healthy teeth, which helps keep down the amount of plaque on your teeth. Healthy saliva production is a major part of good oral health. In fact, because they experience higher rates of dry mouth, nearly a third of all tooth decay among older adults is caused because of low saliva. Some diabetic medications and elevated blood glucose can also cause dry mouth. Try sugar-free gum or sugar-free candy to help stimulate your saliva production.
Thank You for Reading!
If you suffer from a chronic condition such as diabetes, we encourage you to research more about the oral health implications and risks that may come along with the condition. Sometimes there can be severe risks that lead to worse systemic health issues. Ask your dentist for recommended resources if you have questions. If you enjoy our blog, please like our Facebook page to see when we make new posts!