Dental Health can affect your Diabetes

Facts.

• Diabetics are significantly more likely to develop oral complications resulting from diabetes, including tooth loss and gum disease.
• Diabetics are more prone to develop oral infections.
• Oral infections heal more slowly for those suffering with diabetes.
• Uncontrolled Periodontal Disease increases the risk for diabetes and affects diabetic control for those already suffering from diabetes.
• Uncontrolled Periodontal Disease causes bacteria to flow through the blood stream, affecting the entire body.
• The consequences of untreated infections can range from loss of aveolar bone and attachment loss, to ongoing infections and inflammation that some researchers believe can drive glucose levels out of target ranges.

Diabetic Control.

Like other complications of diabetes, gum disease is linked to diabetic control. People with poor blood sugar control get gum disease more often and more severely, and they lose more teeth than do persons with good control. In fact, people whose diabetes is well controlled have no more periodontal disease than persons without diabetes. Children with IDDM (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) are also at risk for gum problems. Good diabetic control is the best protection against periodontal disease.

Studies show that controlling blood sugar levels lowers the risk of some complications of diabetes, such as eye and heart disease and nerve damage. Scientists believe many complications, including gum disease, can be prevented with good diabetic control.

Blood Vessel Changes.

Thickening of blood vessels is a complication of diabetes that may increase risk for gum disease. Blood vessels deliver oxygen and nourishment to body tissues, including the mouth, and carry away the tissues’ waste products. Diabetes causes blood vessels to thicken, which slows the flow of nutrients and the removal of harmful wastes. This can weaken the resistance of gum and bone tissue to infection.

Bacteria.

Many kinds of bacteria (germs) thrive on sugars, including glucose — the sugar linked to diabetes. When diabetes is poorly controlled, high glucose levels in mouth fluids may help germs grow and set the stage for gum disease.