Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. High or low blood sugar will affect the function of organs throughout the body over time, as well as acutely. So managing this disease is important to staying healthy.
One outside factor that influences blood sugar is inflammation. Conditions that trigger the body’s inflammatory response, like infections, will interfere with the body’s ability to manage diabetes. Gum disease, an infection of the gum tissue, is relatively common but can create inflammation that can majorly affect diabetes.
Pay attention to both of these conditions since they are both highly prevalent and can influence your well-being so significantly. Read on to learn more about how gum disease and diabetes affect one another to impact your overall health.
Why Is Diabetes a Risk Factor for Gum Disease?
As mentioned, diabetes affects all areas of the body, including the mouth. Patients with diabetes can see an increase in glucose within their saliva, which can encourage more build-up of bacteria on the teeth. Extra bacteria can put you at a greater risk of oral infections, including gum disease.
With gum disease, bacteria will destroy gum tissue and then can spread to damage the tooth root and jawbone. This dental harm can result in irreversible complications including tooth loss.
You will need a dentist to treat gum disease properly, so dentists promote preventative care when it comes to caring for your periodontal health. Managing diabetes symptoms can get rid of this risk factor for gum disease so that you can preserve your smile.
How Does Gum Disease Impact Diabetes?
Diabetes can make you more likely to contract gum disease. But the reverse also proves true. Gum disease can make it harder to manage diabetes. The infection inflames the gum tissue which triggers a systemic response that will worsen many chronic issues like diabetes.
Widespread inflammation will heighten blood sugar and then aggravate symptoms related to diabetes. Avoid excess inflammation that will affect diabetes by preventing gum disease. To do this, you will need to take proper care of your oral health.
How Can I Protect My Gum Health?
Reduce your risk of gum disease by caring for your teeth and gums both at home and at your dentist’s office. These efforts will preserve the look and feel of your smile as well as make it easier to control diabetes.
Practice good oral hygiene to remove excess plaque and other harmful residues on your teeth. Then you can reduce bacterial spread in your mouth which will lower your risk of contracting an infection in your gums.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss for adequate oral hygiene. Talk to your dentist to learn if you can also benefit from using an antibacterial mouthwash. Attend routine teeth cleanings with your dentist too in order to maximize oral hygiene and preventative care for your gums.