What is the Link Between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease?
Diabetic Control. Like other complications of diabetes, gum disease is
linked to diabetic control. People with poor blood sugar control get gum
disease more often and more severely, and they lose more teeth than do
persons with good control. In fact, people whose diabetes is well controlled
have no more periodontal disease than persons without diabetes. Children
with IDDM (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) are also at risk for gum
problems. Good diabetic control is the best protection against periodontal
disease.
Studies show that controlling blood sugar levels lowers the risk of some
complications of diabetes, such as eye and heart disease and nerve damage. Scientists believe many complications, including gum disease, can be prevented
with good diabetic control.
Blood Vessel Changes. Thickening of blood vessels is a complication of
diabetes that may increase risk for gum disease. Blood vessels deliver
oxygen and nourishment to body tissues, including the mouth, and carry
away the tissues' waste products. Diabetes causes blood vessels to thicken,
which slows the flow of nutrients and the removal of harmful wastes. This
can weaken the resistance of gum and bone tissue to infection.
Bacteria. Many kinds of bacteria (germs) thrive on sugars, including
glucose -- the sugar linked to diabetes. When diabetes is poorly controlled,
high glucose levels in mouth fluids may help germs grow and set the stage
for gum disease.
Smoking. The harmful effects of smoking, particularly heart disease and
cancer, are well known. Studies show that smoking also increases the chances
of developing gum disease. In fact, smokers are five times more likely
than nonsmokers to have gum disease. For smokers with diabetes, the risk
is even greater. If you are a smoker with diabetes, age 45 or older, you
are 20 times more likely than a person without these risk factors to get
severe gum disease.
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