Linking Diabetes and Oral
Health
By Kara Dillon, RDH-E
The
American Diabetes Association reports that 17 million people
in the United States have diabetes and that more than
5 million of them are not even aware that they have the disease.
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people
with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease,
commonly known as gum disease, than people without diabetes.
When
a person has diabetes, their circulation is slower which
makes the gum tissues more susceptible to infections.
Studies
also show that people with uncontrolled blood sugar seem
to develop gum disease more frequently and severely than
people who manage their diabetes well. Also, diabetics
who smoke are far more likely to develop gum disease
than people
who do not smoke and are not diabetic.
There
are many signs and symptoms of gum disease. These include:
red and
swollen gums, loose teeth, gums that bleed
easily,
gums that are separating from the teeth, frequent bad
breath, and a change in the way your teeth fit together.
There are ways that diabetics can help prevent gum disease.
Always maintain good control over your blood sugar
levels, don’t smoke, eat a healthy and balanced diet, and
always visit the dentist for regular check ups and cleanings.
Good
oral hygiene is essential in the prevention of gum disease.
If
you have diabetes, be sure to tell your dentist and hygienist
so that they can detect any signs and symptoms
of early gum
disease. If the disease is caught early, it can be
treated and reversed. If the disease is not treated it
can develop
into a very serious, advanced stage which includes
bone loss around the teeth and is not reversible.
For
personal information about yourself or your family, please
contact your dentist or healthcare provider.
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