Gum Disease & Diabetes – Is There a Link?

There is a definitive link between gum disease and diabetes. In fact, of the 25 million diabetes sufferers, up to a third of them will develop gum disease or periodontitis (an advanced and severe form of gum disease) at some point during their disease.

What is Gum & Periodontal Disease?

If the plaque on your teeth is allowed to accumulate, it will harden into tartar. Tartar cannot be removed from the teeth without professional intervention. Once present, the tartar will irritate the gums, and cause bleeding, redness, or tenderness in the gum tissue.

As more tartar forms and your gum disease begins to worsen, the gum tissue will begin to pull away from the teeth, forming small pockets between the teeth and gums. These pockets are prime locations for bacteria to accumulate. This will eventually cause an infection, which will damage the bones and ligaments surrounding the tooth. At this stage, the tooth can become loose and even fall out.

Because diabetes sufferers are more vulnerable to infection and don’t heal as quickly, they are even more vulnerable to severe cases of gum disease and periodontitis.

Gum Disease Prevention

The best way to steer clear of gum disease is by maintaining good oral hygiene. This includes:

• Brush – You should be brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss – Floss at least once a day. This is important because flossing is the only way to reach the plaque and food debris that can accumulate between the teeth.
• Dentist – Make sure you visit the dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and exam. This will also allow us to catch any problems early on when they’re easier to treat.

Make sure to visit our office at the first sign of gum disease. The sooner we can treat it, the better the outcome will be. To make an appointment at Meadows Family Dental, please contact our Castle Rock, CO office.