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Gum disease, also periodontal disease, is a common disease in the world that affect the gums which protect teeth. However, people with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease. Gums and bones that support the teeth can be affected by periodontitis that may eventually cause teeth loss if treatment is not given. Gum disease is, however, preventable and can be easily treated in the early stages of the disease.
Persons with diabetes are more exposed to gum disease. Poor management of blood sugar levels can damage nerves, blood vessels, the heart, kidneys, eyes, and feet. Similarly, the gums may also be affected because high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels, thereby reducing the oxygen supply and nutrition to the gums, making it more likely to infect the gums and bones.
It can also lead to increased glucose levels in saliva, which creates a breeding site for bacteria and increases gum disease and tooth decay risk.
Severe gum disease can negatively affect your blood sugar control and increase your chances of developing other common long-term complications of diabetes. Inflammation in the gums will escape into the bloodstream, disrupt the body’s defense system, and affect blood sugar control. In other terms, gum disease and diabetes are inter-connected.
People who have diabetes should have regular dental checkups, including gum health checks. At Confluence Dental Wenatchee, we have a Wenatchee emergency dentist who will look for signs of gum disease, then help you with treatment and initial management. You will need an intensive treatment process and more regular follow-ups than patients without gum disease.
Smoking, diabetes, and mental stress also increase this risk of gum disease and worsen disease progression.
The main causal factor of gum disease is dental plaque. This is a sticky white coating that will accumulate on your teeth throughout the day when you don’t brush. It is formed from a combination of food, bacteria, and saliva.
You need to regularly remove plaque deposits from your teeth and gum line to prevent the plaque from hardening into the tartar. Bacteria in dental plaque cause inflammation of the gums, leading to bleeding, redness, and swelling. If left untreated, the disease may develop and promptly destroy the soft tissues and bones that hold the teeth in place.
In gingivitis, the gums may become red, swollen, and soft. This makes them bleed easily during daily cleaning and flossing. Visiting a dentist near you can help resolve gingivitis.
Untreated gingivitis can cause periodontitis, which destroys the tissues and bones that support the teeth. Eventually, periodontitis can cause your gums and jawbone to pull away from your teeth. When this happens, you can visit us for dental implants in Wenatchee, WA.
People who are diabetic tend to have more severe periodontitis because diabetes reduces the ability to fight infections and slows healing. Infections such as periodontitis can also cause your blood sugar levels to rise, which can make your diabetes more difficult to control. Periodontal treatment helps improve blood sugar control.
Also, diabetics may be more prone to thrush, which is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. Signs of thrush include painful white or red patches in the mouth. Maintaining recommendable oral hygiene can help you avoid thrush.
Some people with diabetes also lack saliva, a disease called dry mouth. Without saliva to keep your mouth moist, teeth are more prone to tooth decay & gum disease.
Keeping your blood sugar levels under control keeps gum infection from developing and spreading.
Although antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce bacteria and plaque formation, it is not a substitute for effective tooth cleaning. That’s why visiting our dentist near East Wenatchee, WA, for expert treatment is crucial.
For periodontitis patients, getting periodontal treatment is necessary, and so is getting specialized intensive deep tartar removal to remove plaque and tartar deposits on the roots. This is done by our dentist, who will give you injections to numb your teeth and gums.
Treatment will involve maintaining good oral hygiene – brushing your teeth twice a day in the morning and evening and flossing daily. Your dentist may also recommend regular visits for expert cleaning. Our dentist will use special tools to remove the tartar and then polish the teeth.
After successful treatment, you are still prone to gum disease. Continuous maintenance is of dental hygiene is essential, including maintaining daily cleaning routines, visiting our dental professional regularly, monitoring the health of the gums. Our dentist will advise you on the regularity of your appointments.