It's not common knowledge, even amongst some diabetic sufferers, but one of the most common complications of diabetes is gum disease. What can start out as a mild case of gingivitis can quickly progress into more serious periodontal disease, potentially causing severe damage to the gums, teeth, and to your oral health in general. However, poor oral health is far from an inevitability for diabetes sufferers, and there are a number of ways you can lessen your chances of developing this debilitating condition.
Why does diabetes cause gum disease?
The root cause of gum disease in diabetics is often poor control of blood glucose levels. Without effective levels of insulin, the hormone ordinarily produced by the pancreas to regulate your blood sugar levels, diabetes sufferers usually have to regulate their own blood sugar levels with diet control and/or insulin injections -- naturally, with the stresses and demands of modern life, this can be hard to maintain day to day.
When blood sugar levels are too high, some of the excess blood glucose is expelled via the salivary glands -- as you can imagine, sugary saliva isn't ideal for anybody's dental health, and the high concentrations of glucose promote the formation of plaque and tartar, as well as providing an excellent food source for bacteria and microbes to thrive on. In addition, some medications taken to combat other complications of diabetes, such as blood pressure lowering medications, can increase the likelihood of developing gum disease by weakening the mouth's natural defences against infection.
How can diabetes sufferers avoid developing gum disease?
Keeping tight control of blood sugar levels is the primary health concern of any diabetes sufferer, and is just as important when it comes to avoiding gum disease. Measures taken to control blood sugar levels differ between sufferers, and are largely dictated by medical advice, so if you suffer from diabetes, it's important to follow medical instructions as closely as possible. If you are on a controlled diet with reduced sugar intake, stick to it as closely as you can, and always remember to take any insulin injections you may need. Consult with your doctor frequently for health check-ups, and to determine if and when your regimen needs adjusting.
In addition, maintaining good oral hygiene can go a long way towards mitigating the increased risk of gum disease, so a regular routine of brushing, flossing and rinsing is important. Diabetic people may notice that their gums are more sensitive than non-sufferers even if gum disease isn't a problem for them, so soft-bristled toothbrushes and careful flossing are recommended. If flossing is particularly uncomfortable, interdental brushes are a good alternative that place less pressure on the gum tissue. Diabetes sufferers should visit their dentist for an examination every six months, as is the usual recommendation, or more as needed, as their dentist will be able to spot early warning signs of gum disease, and will test your saliva glucose levels if they suspect an issue.
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