Diabetes and Gum Disease: A Clear Connection

[Shahin Safarian]

Many people often ask what gum disease has to do with diabetes; but, research has proved that when diabetes is not under control, it can lead to the development of periodontal diseases.

Studies have shown that 1 in 3 diabetic patient develop periodontitis at some stage of this disease. Diabetes is a very common health issue today, which when not controlled properly can have many serious ill effects on body.

Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes in which the bloodstream has higher levels of sugar than normal. This is because the body is not able to make enough of the insulin. The Insulin hormone is needed to help cells take up sugar from the blood and store it in cells to be used as energy. In some cases, diabetes may occur when the body does not respond to its insulin. This type of diabetes commonly affects the middle aged people and is often related to being overweight and having an inactive lifestyle. It is very common in younger people and children. Diabetes affects all the populations and people of all ages. Its sufferers are more likely to develop problems like kidney and heart disease, leading in turn to a lower life expectancy.

Gum disease is also a very common oral disease. Periodontitis (the most severe form of gum disease), destroys gum tissues and bones supporting the teeth, eventually leading to the tooth loss. Dentists have identified that people with diabetes are more prone to gum problems than those who do not have. Also, the gum disease may get worse and harder to treat with time. The gum treatment is more likely to be successful when a person’s blood glucose levels are under good control.

The story does not end here. Now scientists are discovering that gum disease may also have an effect on diabetes, making control of blood glucose harder. However, the research is still going on it.

Let’s have a look at how periodontitis affects diabetes;

The exact cause is yet not completely understood, but scientists say that some of the microorganisms that infect the gums can pass into the bloodstream. This triggers a reaction from our body’s defense mechanism, which can lead to the release of some powerful elements that have detrimental effects on other parts of the body, leading to uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

Gum surgery in controlling diabetes

Luckily, there are many treatment methods available today for gum disease, such as professional cleaning, gum surgery, and regular care given by dentists. This means that improving your gum health is very important if you have diabetes. It could really help you control diabetes and lower other health related risks too.

Conclusion

One can easily comprehend after reading the above content that keeping the gums healthy is an important aspect to maintain the overall health of a person with diabetes. You must look for Gum Surgery in San Diego to get your periodontitis treated. Having healthy gums is a good step towards better overall health. The latest researches on gum disease and diabetes are showing the importance of keeping your gums healthy. One can achieve it easily by having regular dental check-ups. Any gum disease can be picked up in the initial stages and treated with Gum Surgery in San Diego.