The link between diabetes and gum disease actually goes both ways. While poor control of blood sugar increases the risk of gum disease, oral infections might also make it harder to keep blood sugar within the expected range. That means that people who do suffer from either Type I or Type II diabetes have to prevent gum disease both by taking good care of their mouths and controlling their blood sugar. There is good news. Folks who do keep their blood sugar well controlled aren't any more likely to suffer from average people who don't suffer from diabetes. This is true both for Type I and Type II diabetes. Doctors and dentists agree that good blood sugar control is critical for a healthy mouth.
Why Does Diabetes Increase the Chance of Gum Disease? There are two main reasons that uncontrolled blood sugar tends to lead to oral diseases: One complication of this condition is that blood vessel walls get thicker. This means that blood moves through the body at a slower rate. Blood carries necessary nutrients and oxygen to the gums. It also carries wastes outside. When this process slows down, the mouth is more vulnerable to infections. The bacteria that cause gum disease thrive on sugar. When diabetics cannot control their blood sugar, it also means that other fluids have too much sugar. This provides a feast for germs, and that encourages gum disease.
The American Diabetes Society says that good dentistry sioux falls may be the best way to minimize or prevent oral diseases. These are some warning signs that it is time to take a trip to the dentist: Bleeding, swollen, or tender gums Persistent bad breath Teeth that seem loose or have moved away from each other Changes in the fit of bridges or dentures
Dentists Might Diagnose Diabetes Because of Gum Disease The link between diabetes and periodontal disease is so pervasive that dentists often diagnose diabetes and send patients onto an M.D. for further diagnosis and treatment. In addition, dentists may be the first medical professionals who notice signs that blood control is not as good as it should be because gum disease has progressed in a patient.