Many diabetic patients are unaware of their risk of developing periodontal disease, but diabetes and periodontal disease are commonly associated with one another. Periodontal disease, also known as gingivitis, is a serious infection in the gums. One of the most common symptoms of periodontal diseases is bleeding gums. When a person notices blood on their toothbrush or in the sink while brushing their teeth, it is likely that they are showing the earliest signs of gingivitis. Any time blood is present as a result of routine tooth-brushing, it is not a good sign. That would be the same as if a person’s scalp started bleeding when they were brushing their hair.
Other signs of periodontal disease include a bright red or purple appearance on the gums, gums that are tender when touched, mouth sores, swollen gums or a shiny appearance to the gums. The appearance of gums is the best indicator of a person having periodontal disease because it is typically painless. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. However, losing teeth is not the only complication associated with gum disease. Diabetes and periodontal disease can be particularly dangerous because evidence shows there is a solid link between gingivitis and heart disease. Because diabetics already are at an increased risk of developing heart disease, diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease can be an especially hazardous combination.
Treating Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontal Disease
Like all other complications associated with the disease, diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease can best be prevented by keeping a close watch on blood sugar levels and taking the appropriate steps to make sure they stay in a healthy range. Diabetes periodontal disease is common for a few reasons, the first of which involves damaged blood vessels. Because diabetes can cause blood vessels to become blocked or thickened, they are unable to carry oxygen and nourishment to various parts of the body. The mouth is no exception. When the mouth does not receive the nutrients it needs to rid itself of waste, bone tissue becomes weakened and infection is more likely to set in. Another reason why periodontal disease and diabetes are linked is because many types of bacteria feed off of glucose. When glucose levels are high, bacteria is given a chance to flourish. Another contributing factor to diabetes and periodontal disease is smoking. A person who smokes is five times more likely to have gum disease, and that risk increases for a person with diabetes.
Diabetes and periodontal disease are commonly seen in conjunction with each other, but frequent visits to the dentist can reverse the problem. A dental hygienist can provide a deep cleaning that will be effective as long as a person does not allow plaque to build up in their teeth again. When diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease are able to advance to more serious levels, gum surgery may be needed to clean out infected areas under the gums.
