Diabetes and Gum Disease

All regular dental patients have been told many times to brush their teeth daily to maintain healthy teeth and healthy gums. Gum disease is very common and most people will get it at least once in their life. But when you have diabetes, you’re more at risk to gum disease.

People with Type 2 diabetes are around three times more likely to develop dental problems than people who don’t have diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes are also more at risk.

Keeping your mouth, teeth and gums healthy is an important part of managing your diabetes.

Because having diabetes means you’re more at risk of dental problems like gum disease, also called periodontal disease. It’s a complication of diabetes

Studies have shown a link between diabetes and gum disease. And in simple terms having raised level of sugar in your blood stream for prolonged period of time will lead to high level of sugar in your saliva . This can have a detrimental effect on your teeth and gums

And it can affect you the other way around too. Gum disease and infection can in turn increase your blood sugar levels, which can lead to other complications like heart disease.

Looking after your teeth and gums should be a basic part of how you manage your diabetes. Because you can prevent these potential complications or spot them early enough to get the right treatment from your dentist.

Link :

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/gum-disease

https://www.bsperio.org.uk/publications/downloads/106_093514_jdn022-hodge.pdf