Know Your Risks With Gum Disease and Diabetes

December 4, 2015

Gum disease in its earliest forms can often be controlled, and is known as gingivitis. This is basic gum inflammation that comes before periodontitis, the more serious form of gum disease. Those with gingivitis may notice bleeding during brushing and irritated gums. Unfortunately, if gingivitis is left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis, which is a more severe form of gum disease.

Periodontitis can lead to the gums pulling back, loosening teeth and eventually causing them to fall out. As pockets of infection develop where the gums have pulled back from the teeth, the health risks and gum disease dangers become a serious concern.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Brushing, flossing and regular visits to a professional for a cleaning and exam go a long way toward heading off periodontal disease, but there may be other factors that increase your risk of gum disease that are outside of your control:

• Illnesses that have a suppressing effect on the immune system, such as HIV, cancer or diabetes
• Hormonal changes
• Medications that affects oral health
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Family history or genetics

With good oral hygiene and a visit to a periodontist in Springfield, MO, you can often head off the symptoms of gum disease before they become serious problems in the mouth. Unfortunately, it’s not just the mouth that is affected when brushing and flossing are ignored.

Gum Disease and the Body

Those with diabetes have a hard time controlling blood sugar, and may be more susceptible to infection, particularly in the mouth. On the other side of the coin, those with gum disease have a harder time controlling blood sugar, which is essential for a diabetic to stay healthy. The good news is that caring for the mouth can lessen the negative symptoms of diabetes, and controlling blood sugar can help control gum disease.

Let Us Help

Dr. Tokarczyk has worked extensively with periodontitis, and we are here to answer any questions you have. Schedule an appointment with us when you call 417-882-2880.

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