If you have diabetes, your entire body is affected, including your gums. If your diabetes is poorly controlled, your oral health is at risk. As a result, periodontal disease and diabetes often go hand in hand.
“Diabetes is a concern for us in periodontics,” says Dr. Dino Georgas, a periodontist and HealthChoicesFirst.com partner. “It’s important for the patients to follow the advice of their medical doctor, and treat their diabetes either with diet and exercise, or try and maintain blood sugars at a stable level with the medications provided. This is important for us because uncontrolled diabetics have a higher risk of progressing gum disease. They have a risk of delayed healing; a risk of infection, and they are more prone to an infection post-surgically, as well.”
The reason that gum disease and diabetes often go together is that uncontrolled diabetes hurts the body's defenses against infection. Periodontal disease is an infection, therefore affecting many diabetics who don't have good blood glucose control.
Treating Gum Disease in Diabetics
If you have diabetes, it's essential to inform your dentist, even if you feel your disease is very well controlled. Your dental health provider can determine if you'll require any special care such as antibiotics before and after certain dental treatments.
“For us, a stable diabetic patient has a better chance of long-term success than a patient that is not stable with their blood sugar levels and their diabetes,” says Georgas. “If you happen to be a patient that is diabetic, please inform your dentist, and they can work in unison with your medical doctor to provide proper dental care.”
If you have any questions on periodontal disease and diabetes, talk to your general dentist or periodontist.
Complementary Content to Periodontal Disease and Diabetes
Videos & Articles:
-
If you have diabetes, choosing the proper footwear is critical to your health. Diabetes can lead to serious foot problems such as neuropathy or ulcers. People with diabetes need to learn how to prevent foot problems and to recognize the signs early on so they can seek treatment. Watch our Diabetes Shoes video for tips on choosing the right footwear.
-
Lifestyle changes are an important part of diabetes management. The foods you eat and your level of activity greatly influence your quality of life when managing a disease such as diabetes. Learn how you can make the best lifestyle choices by watching our Diabetes Management video.
-
Whether you are newly diagnosed with diabetes or have been living with the disease for years, you need to make sure you're exercising safely and effectively. From squats to bicep curls to shoulder exercises, we've got lots of Diabetes Exercise videos to help you get a great workout.