Seven Hills - Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

It is well documented that people who suffer from diabetes are more susceptible to developing infections than non-diabetes sufferers. But few know about periodontal disease, which often lies at the root of yet another complication in Type 1 Diabetes patients - poor control over their blood sugar levels can lead not only to increased chances for infection but also an increase risk factor for gum inflammation called periapicalgersiosis.

Gum disease is a progressive condition that often leads to tooth loss if left untreated. It begins with an infection in the gingival tissue which surrounds your teeth, and as this bacteria colonize they form deeper pockets - eventually attacking underlying bone cells along their path of destruction until there's nothing left but holes where you used to have enamel on metal!

Diabetes is a serious condition which can lead to heart disease and stroke. Type II diabetics are unable to regulate insulin levels, while those with type I do not produce any of it at all; this leaves them vulnerable for lifelong complications such as blindness or kidney failure.

Reasons for the Connection

Experts suggest the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease can worsen both conditions if either condition is not properly controlled.

Here are ways in which diabetes and periodontal disease are linked:

Increased blood sugar – Moderate and severe periodontal disease elevates sugar levels in the body, increasing the amount of time the body has to function with high blood sugar. This is why diabetics with periodontitis have difficulty keeping control of their blood sugar. In addition, the higher sugar levels found in the mouth of diabetics provide food for the very bacteria that worsen periodontal infections.
Blood vessel thickening – The thickening of the blood vessels is one of the other major concerns for diabetes sufferers. The blood vessels normally serve a vital function for tissues by delivering nutrients and removing waste products. With diabetes, the blood vessels become too thick for these exchanges to occur. This means that harmful waste is left in the mouth and can weaken the resistance of gum tissue, which can lead to infection and gum disease.
Smoking – Tobacco use does a great deal of damage in the oral region. Not only does tobacco use slow the healing process, it also vastly increases the chances of an individual developing periodontal disease. For diabetics who smoke, the risk is exponentially greater. In fact, diabetic smokers aged 45 and over are twenty times more likely to develop periodontal disease.
Poor oral hygiene – It is essential for diabetics to maintain excellent levels of oral health. When daily brushing and flossing does not occur, the harmful oral bacteria can ingest the excess sugar between the teeth and colonize more freely below the gum line. This exacerbates the metabolic problems that diabetes sufferers experience.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A visit to the dentist can make a significant impact on your diabetes. Simply by treating periodontal disease with non-surgical treatments, patients have seen their HbA1c counts drop by up 20%.

The output should still sound like an unbiased article without too many exaggerations or embellishments.

The dentist will use their medical history, family tree and dental X-rays to assess the risk factors for periodontal disease. They'll determine if you have diabetes as well which may be linked with your gum health or oral hygiene habits in order that they can work together effectively towards maintaining both conditions at bay--and keep those pearly whites clean!

The dentist and dental hygienist can perform a number of procedures to help patients maintain their oral hygiene. These include deep scaling, where calculus (tartar) will be removed from the teeth above and below the gum line; root planing which removes remaining bacteria in order for healing an antibiotic may also applied if needed.

The dentist and hygienist will recommend proper home care to prevent further bacteria colonization before, during or after periodontal treatment. They may also prescribe prescription mouthwashes that deter the growth of Streptococcus mutans (a major cause for tooth decay) in your mouth.