The Connection Between Diabetes and Periodontitis

Diabetes Month is a great time for practitioners of dentistry Sioux Falls to call attention to an issue that is often overlooked: the connection between diabetes and oral health. Some dentists say that they can spot diabetes in patients just by looking in their mouths. 

This is because certain oral conditions tend to accompany diabetes. In turn, these conditions can make it harder to control blood sugar. Diabetic patients therefore need to pay special attention to their oral health in order to avoid suffering from these problems.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease starts out with the mild gum inflammation known as gingivitis. If not controlled, the gingivitis progresses to cause deep pockets next to the teeth. These pockets get filled with bacteria, pus, and food debris that create further inflammation. Eventually, teeth fall out.

Diabetes makes it harder to fight off infections in general, and at its root, periodontal disease is an infection. It's typically caused by inadequate oral hygiene, but the increased salivary glucose makes it so that diabetics need to be especially careful in this regard. Disease-causing bacteria in the mouth love sugar, and they don't care what form it takes. High salivary glucose levels therefore cause the bacteria to grow exceptionally well.

The standard recommendations for oral hygiene – daily brushing and flossing, combined with regular professional cleanings – apply to diabetics. However, in diabetics, ignoring these recommendations has harsh consequences much faster. Therefore, it's very important for diabetics to be extremely vigilant about keeping their mouths clean.

Even more importantly, diabetics must be sure to control their blood sugar as well as possible. Like other diabetes-related illnesses, periodontal disease is more common in patients with poorly-controlled glucose levels. Periodontitis is also worse in these patients and results in the loss of more teeth.

The Unexpected Effect of Periodontal Disease on Diabetes

Diabetics have another reason to make sure to avoid getting periodontal disease: The American Diabetes Association says that this disease can make diabetes worse and lower the ability to control blood sugar levels. Maintaining good oral hygiene and health therefore has effects that go far beyond the mouth. In diabetics, it improves the health of the entire body by making it easier to keep the diabetes in check.

Thanks to these connections, there's no doubt that diabetics need to keep up on their dental care. Even if oral problems have already started, treatment can be given that will improve health status both in and outside of the mouth.