“There are more bacteria in your mouth right now than there are people on Earth.”
So begins the explanation of the connection between diabetes and periodontal disease, according to the American Diabetes Association. Additional facts include:
• Because high blood sugar levels impair your ability to heal from oral infections, you’re more likely to develop gum disease than someone without diabetes.
• Gum disease progresses more than twice as fast in people with diabetes as in those without.
• Bacteria in the pockets between your teeth and gums—the most dangerous kind because they are hard to clean out—thrive on sugar. If you have elevated blood glucose, you’re actually feeding the bacteria.
Richard Hagstrom, DDS, recommends that diabetics work closely with a dentist to make sure that oral health is monitored and that pockets of bacteria and a build-up of plaque at the gum line are not allowed to take hold inside the mouth.
“The right dentist will use medical history, family history and dental X-rays to assess the risk factors for periodontal disease and determine the exact condition of the gums, teeth and underlying jawbone. If necessary the dentist will work in conjunction with other doctors to ensure that both the diabetes and the gum disease are being managed and controlled as effectively as possible,” said Dr. Hagstrom.
Here’s why diabetes and periodontal disease are linked:
• Increased blood sugar: Moderate and severe periodontal disease elevates sugar levels in the body, increasing the amount of time the body has to function with high blood sugar. This is why diabetics with periodontitis have difficulty keeping control of their blood sugar. In addition, the higher sugar levels found in the mouth of diabetics provide food for the very bacteria that worsen periodontal infections.
• Blood vessel thickening: The thickening of the blood vessels is one of the other major concerns for diabetes sufferers. The blood vessels normally serve a vital function for tissues by delivering nutrients and removing waste products. With diabetes, the blood vessels become too thick for these exchanges to occur. This means that harmful waste is left in the mouth and can weaken the resistance of gum tissue, which can lead to infection and gum disease.
The staff at A Shop for Smiles in La Mesa agrees that it is of paramount importance for people suffering from any type of diabetes to see the dentist at least twice yearly for checkups and professional cleanings. Studies have shown that simple non-surgical periodontal treatments can lower the HbA1c (hemoglobin molecule blood test) count by as much as 20 percent in a six month period.
Non-surgical procedures performed by the dentist and dental hygienist include deep scaling, where calculus (tartar) will be removed from the teeth above and below the gumline, and root planing, where the root of the tooth is smoothed down to eliminate any remaining bacteria. Antibiotics may be applied to the gum pockets to promote healing.
A Shop for Smiles
Address: 8923 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa
Phone: (619) 465-5252