If you or a loved one has diabetes, you probably know there are increased health risks that come along with it for different systems that make up your body: the eyes, nervous system, kidneys, heart, and others. One of the lesser talked about systems that may be affected by diabetes is your oral health system, and there’s a curious connection between diabetes and gum disease.
According to the American Diabetes Association, people who have advanced gum disease are more likely to have their blood sugar levels affected, contributing to a higher risk of diabetes. Similarly, those who have diabetes are more at risk for developing periodontitis. Although there is still much to learn, research is showing that dentists and primary care physicians will increasingly need to work together when it comes to treating diabetes and gum disease.
How to Lower Your Risk for Periodontitis if You Have Diabetes
If you have diabetes, keep these tips in mind to keep your risk of developing gum disease lower:
- Maintain good diabetic control: Keeping a good handle on your sugar is part of living with diabetes, and it’s especially important for maintaining healthy saliva flow. Poor glucose levels are associated with dry mouth, which can lead to higher risks of developing periodontitis.
- See your dentist regularly: If you have diabetes, you should be seeing a regular primary care physician, and it’s also important to remember to regularly see your dentist. Schedule a checkup at least every six months. Your dentist can help you detect trouble spots that are the result of your diabetes earlier, lowering your risk of other chronic conditions in the process.
- Quit smoking: As health professionals, we’ll root for any patient who is finally ready to kick their smoking habit. If you smoke and have diabetes, know that you are at an increased risk for developing thrush, a fungus infection that grows in your mouth. Thrush and other harmful effects of smoking also lower your body’s ability to fight off the bacteria that lead to gum disease.
- Brush twice a day and floss at least once a day: Yes, it’s true. Simply doing what your dentist has been telling you since you were a little kid will greatly reduce your risk of gum disease. It’s especially important to maintain a good, comprehensive oral health routine if you have diabetes. Don’t forget to schedule regular cleanings with your dentist too!
Controlling your diabetes and risk of gum disease takes coordination and working together with your health care providers.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope this post on gum disease and diabetes not only makes you aware of the two-way street that exists between them, but we hope you find the tips useful for yourself or someone you care about. If you enjoy our dental facts, tips, and news, please drop by and like our Facebook page.