November is National Diabetes Month, so this month’s blog is dedicated to raising awareness of how diabetes can affect your oral health. You might already know that diabetes can lead to serious health complications like heart disease and nerve damage. What many people don’t realize, though, is that it also makes you much more likely to develop gum disease.
High blood sugar can weaken your body’s ability to fight infections, making your gums more vulnerable to bacteria. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to painful inflammation and tooth loss and even make managing your diabetes more difficult.
Dr. Wenli Loo and Dr. Steve Deng, our lead dentists at LivWell Dentistry in San Francisco and San Ramon, California, know how necessary it is to detect and treat gum disease early, especially for people with diabetes.
In this article, they explain how diabetes increases your risk for gum disease, what the warning signs are, and how we can help you maintain healthy gums.
When your blood sugar is high, it weakens your body’s ability to fight infections. Since your mouth naturally has a lot of bacteria, it is easier for those bacteria to cause inflammation and infection in your gums, leading to a higher chance of gum disease.
High blood sugar levels also increase the sugar content in your saliva. Bacteria in your mouth feed on this sugar, producing acids that can damage your gums and lead to gum disease.
In addition, diabetes causes circulation problems, slowing the body’s ability to heal. If your gum is injured, it will take longer to heal, making you more susceptible to gum disease.
Because diabetes can make gum disease progress more quickly, it’s crucial to catch it early.
Some signs to look out for include:
If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them. The earlier we can diagnose gum disease, the easier it is for our team to treat it.
Having gum disease can make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Gum disease creates inflammation, which makes your body more resistant to insulin. As a result, your blood sugar levels can spike, creating a vicious cycle in which both conditions worsen over time.
For people with diabetes, brushing, flossing, and keeping up with dental appointments will not only keep your gums healthy but will also help you better manage this chronic condition.
To keep your gums healthy while living with diabetes, it’s important to keep your sugar levels in check. The better you manage your diabetes, the less likely you are to develop gum disease.
Good oral hygiene is also as important. Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss to remove plaque between your teeth.
Regular checkups are crucial for preventing gum disease. At LivWell Dentistry, we recommend coming in for cleanings and exams every six months and possibly more frequently if you have diabetes.
Taking care of your gums when you have diabetes doesn’t need to be complicated, but it is essential.
By catching gum disease early, you can help prevent it from becoming a more significant issue, which can also make managing your diabetes easier. Schedule an appointment with the team at Livwell Dentistry online, or call us at 415-477-3700 today.
