Oral Health: Preventing Gum Disease When You Have Diabetes
Almost 30% of Mainers over the age of 65 have diabetes or pre-diabetes, but not nearly enough of those affected are educated on the disease’s detrimental effects on their oral health.
While many people know that diabetes, which is the result of having too much sugar in the blood, can cause problems with eyes, nerves and kidneys, what they don’t know is that increased blood sugar levels lead to increased sugar levels in saliva as well – feeding harmful mouth bacteria and allowing it to grow at an alarming rate. These harmful bacteria combine with food to form a soft, sticky film called plaque. Plaque also comes from eating food that contains sugars or starches. If plaque is not removed daily it can cause tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. Gum disease can be more severe and take longer to heal if you have diabetes. In turn, having gum disease can make blood glucose harder to control.
Plaque that is not removed hardens over time into tartar and collects above the gum line. Tartar makes it difficult to brush and clean between teeth, leading to gums that will become red, swollen and bleed easily. This is called gingivitis.
Although gingivitis can usually be treated by a routine dental cleaning, if it goes untreated, it will advance to periodontitis. With periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces called pockets which slowly become infected. As plaque spreads and grows below the gum line, the body fights the infection by further breaking down the bone and tissue that hold teeth in place – eventually destroying the gums, bones, and tissues that support the teeth. Teeth may become loose and might need to be removed.
For those suffering from diabetes, preventing gum disease is the most effective way of preserving oral health. Here are 7 ways Dr. Berry suggests you can prevent periodontal disease from occurring, despite naturally raised saliva sugar levels:
1. Keep your blood glucose numbers as close to your target as possible.
2. Eat healthy meals and follow the meal plan that you and your doctor or dietician have worked out.
3. Brush your teeth at least twice per day with fluoride toothpaste and use dental floss at least once per day. Change your toothbrush once the toothbrush looks worn or the bristles spread out -- a new toothbrush removes more plaque!
4. If you wear dentures, keep them clean and take them out at night. Have them adjusted if they become loose or uncomfortable.
5. Quit smoking! Smoking promotes and worsens gum disease.
6. Keep regular dental check-ups in order to catch and treat problems in the initial stages.
7. See your dentist immediately if you notice any signs of periodontal disease – red, swollen gums that bleed easily, pus between the teeth and gums, persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth, or teeth that are loose or separating.
Taking care of your mouth is just one important part of treating your diabetes. Dr. Berry can help you keep your mouth healthy and prevent periodontal disease.