Diabetes is a very common disease, so if you don’t have it, you probably know someone who does. It affects approximately 29.1 million people in the USA, or about 9.3% of Americans. Many people don’t even know that they have the condition. Diabetes affects your body’s ability to procedure sugar, and it can be linked to a variety of issues throughout the body, including gum disease. Read on to learn how the two conditions are related and what you can do to work toward better gum and systemic health.
What Is the Link Between Gum Disease & Diabetes?
People who already have diabetes are more susceptible to developing gum disease. This is because poor blood sugar affects your ability to fight off infections, including those that occur in the mouth. If you develop gum disease, it is much more difficult for your body to fight off. Advanced gum disease, also called periodontitis, can cause your blood sugar levels to rise, making it more difficult to keep your diabetes under control. Both conditions can make the other one more serious with time.
How Can You Prevent Gum Disease If You Have Diabetes?
Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean that you are destined to develop gum disease. However, it is especially important that you take additional steps to prevent it from developing. Here are some of the ways to keep gum disease at bay.
- Floss Daily: You should floss every day to remove plaque and bacteria from between the teeth and beneath the gumline. This helps to reduce inflammation and bleeding over time.
- Brush Your Teeth & Gums: Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, thoroughly brush your teeth, gumline, and gums twice each day.
- Clean Your Tongue: Your tongue can also collect plaque and bacteria. Use a toothbrush or tongue scraper to clean your tongue in addition to brushing your teeth.
- Minimize Sugar Intake: Having too many drinks and goods that are sweet and acidic can erode the enamel, resulting in decay. Limit the amount of soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, and juice that you are drinking. You should also be wary of sweet and salty snacks.
- Visit Your Dentist: Regular dental checkups and cleanings are needed to achieve optimal oral health. Your dentist will pick up on early signs of gum disease so it can be treated before becoming serious.
If you have diabetes, pay extra special attention to your gum health. By keeping up an excellent oral hygiene routine, in addition to maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, you can see positive changes throughout your whole body.
About the Practice
At Smile More Dentistry, we have a team of skilled dentists serving patients in the Tappan community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about gum disease or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (845) 675-1512.