(LEWES, Del.)- In the United States alone, more than 29 million people have diabetes-that's nearly 10 percent of the population. Many people are unaware that having diabetes puts you at a higher risk of gum disease and other mouth problems.
In fact, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), one in five cases of total tooth loss is linked to diabetes. If left untreated, it can have a major impact on your dental health. Consequences may include dry mouth, increase risk of cavities due to lack of saliva, inflamed or bleeding gums, delayed healing and greater risk of oral infections.
"In cases of oral health and diabetes, it's vital that dentists are kept up to date with the patient's condition and treatment," says Dr. Robert J. Kacmarcik Jr., president of the Delaware State Dental Society. "Each diabetes patient has special needs, and we need to know how to best treat these individuals to help prevent or control gum disease. Regular dental visits are a must."
The Delaware State Dental Society, along with the ADA, recommends having a diabetes "action plan" that emphasizes working together with your dentist and physician to determine the best course of action.
To maintain good oral health and manage diabetes, your action plan should include the following:
Control your blood sugar levels to help your body fight off any bacterial or fungal infections.
Avoid smoking.
If you wear dentures, clean them daily.
Brush twice a day and floss daily.
See your dentist for twice a year for regular checkups.
Diabetes affects your body's ability to process sugar and has an impact on your level of insulin, a hormone that carries sugar from your blood to cells that need it for energy. Both Type I and Type II diabetes can cause higher than normal levels of blood sugar, resulting in problems that can affect your eyes, heart, liver, kidneys and other parts of the body, including your mouth.
One such infection is periodontal disease, a chronic, inflammatory disease that destroys your gums, the tissues surrounding your teeth and even your bones. Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease among those with diabetes, affecting 22 percent of patients. The risk is so much greater for those with diabetes because they are generally more vulnerable to bacterial infection and are less able to fight off gum-invading bacteria.
Furthermore, research shows that the relationship between gum disease and diabetes is two-way. According to the American Diabetes Association, serious gum disease has the potential to affect blood sugar, contributing to the progression of diabetes and making it harder to control. Treating gum disease early improves blood sugar control in patients with diabetes.
