High blood sugar increases the risks of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Based on the American Dental Association, gum disease, and diabetes have a bidirectional relationship. High sugar levels result in gum disease, which makes it challenging to manage blood sugar levels, resulting in an AIC increase in a person. It is also found that gum disease can also lead to type 2 diabetes. The published study by BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care stated that 1 out of 5 people who are suffering from severe gum disease may have type 2 diabetes.
In this article, Elite Dental Group will discuss the connection between diabetes and gum disease.
Stage of diabetes with gum disease
Type 1 diabetes (risk increases by twofold)- when the average blood sugar starts to reach 130mg/dL or below 70mg/dL, poor glycemic control occurs. This also exacerbates the risk of high levels of salivary glucose, which becomes food for bacteria.
Type 2 diabetes (risk increased by 3 to 4 times)- An increased sugar level develops bacteria, which impacts gum, plaque accumulation, and bacterial growth.
Uncontrolled diabetes (severe problem)- this leads to worsening gum strength, inflammatory issues start to develop, and chances of tooth loss increase.
Cause of gum disease in diabetics
At present, 3,026,764 (10% of the whole population) Californians are diagnosed with diabetes, and 884,000 have periodontal disease. Then, it can be estimated that most of the population must have both issues, as diabetes is 2 to 3 times more likely to attack gum disease compared to non-diabetes.
Burning sensations in the mouth, the inability of wounds to heal, increased severity of infections, gingivitis, less saliva production, and gum problems define the indication of uncontrolled diabetes.
The salivary gland works as the filter that passes the blood glucose. However, morphological changes started to happen in the gland, disturbing the secretory granules’ density. These resulted in dental issues due to salivary gland disease. Moreover, dry mouth encourages bacteria build-up, which combines with food and forms plaque. If the plaque is not removed in time, it develops tartar, resulting in periodontal disease. In severe cases, gum disease impacts the bone that supports teeth and makes it loosen or lead to tooth loss.
This is not it; if someone is unable to control their sugar level, then they might experience some oral symptoms, including-
- Bad breath
- Chewing difficulties
- Soreness
Keep your mouth healthy
The American Dental Association stated that it has become crucial for diabetics to practice proper oral care and make good lifestyle choices for long-term benefits.
Some of the recommendations include-
- Brushing twice a day for 2 minutes
- Use fluoride-based toothpaste
- Use dental floss, oral irrigators, wood sticks, or interdental brushes for deep cleaning.
- Avoid or limit snacks, beverages, or sugary drinks.
- Visiting dentists in one or two months
- Avoiding drinking and smoking
- Avoid going to oral piercing (highly recommended)
- Drink fluoride-based water
How to diagnose gum disease?
- Check the signs of inflammation
- Pockets around the teeth
- Loosening of teeth
If you start to feel pain or other issues, it has become essential to visit the dentist. Elite dental group experts can help you manage your oral health by guiding you.
Conclusion
To manage diabetes, it is crucial to have oral hygiene. This article helped you know that gum disease can create difficulty controlling blood glucose. So, it is better to start to maintain oral hygiene. This will help you reduce the risk of periodontal disease and control the amount of salivary glucose. Apart from that, if you have any queries in understanding the connection between diabetes and gum disease, then contact Elite Dental Group.