Diabetes and Periodontal Disease

There’s a problematic relationship between diabetes and periodontitis. This article will investigate what exactly periodontitis is, the added risks of developing periodontitis for diabetics, and the symptoms, causes and treatment for cases of periodontitis.

What is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis, more commonly known as gum disease, is one of the leading causes of tooth loss among adults. It develops when the gum tissue becomes infected and inflamed, in particular the tissue that supports your teeth and even sometimes in the bone of the tooth itself. During the early stages of gum disease (known as gingivitis), proper treatment can cure it. But the more it develops, the harder effective treatment will become.

The Relationship Between Diabetes and Periodontitis

Periodontitis is considered a complication of diabetes. However, research has shown that diabetics with a good handle on their disease aren’t at an increased risk of developing gum disease. But diabetic patients with a poor control of their disease are at an increased risk of developing periodontitis.

Once periodontitis develops in diabetic patients, problems will continue to snowball. Severe cases of periodontitis can increase your blood sugar, and as such, make diabetes much harder to manage properly. This leads to increased periods of time where a body functions with high levels of blood sugar, putting people with diabetes at an increased risk of severe diabetic complications.

Symptoms of Periodontitis

The very early stages of periodontitis are the development of plaque, the substance that coats your teeth when bacteria mix with saliva and the residue of starch and sugar from your food.

If this plaque isn’t removed, it can eventually lead you towards a case of periodontitis. The common symptoms are red and swollen gums, pain in the gum tissue that surrounds your teeth, gums that bleed easily, gum recession or pocketing, unstable or sensitive teeth, frequent bad breath, or changes in the way your teeth fit together.

Causes of Periodontitis in Diabetic Patients

As mentioned above, the main cause of periodontitis is when plaque builds up on your teeth. Plaque build-up usually occurs in diabetic patients who don’t have great control over their blood sugar levels. This will often lead to a severe case of periodontitis.

Some of the other reasons why people with diabetes are more at risk of developing periodontitis are:

• Slower circulation of the blood, which can leave your gum tissues susceptible to infections.
• Diabetes lowers your body’s resistance to common infections, increasing the chance of developing periodontitis.
• A high level of glucose in the saliva of diabetics encourages the growth of bacteria in the mouth that causes gum disease.
• In general, poor oral hygiene puts everyone at risk of developing periodontitis.

When is Periodontitis Diagnosed?

Generally, your dentist will be able to detect gum disease at any stage during standard dental exams and cleaning. During this time, dentists are trained to be on the lookout for any signs or symptoms of gum disease.

Sometimes, x-rays of your mouth can reveal bone loss in a tooth, a sign of advanced stage periodontitis.

Treatment and Prevention

If a dentist recognises some gum disease occurring, they will recommend some treatments. How extensive these treatments are depending on how far along the gum disease is.

Some of the common treatment methods are:

• Scaling or root planing. This is like a regular cleaning but goes one step further and removes any plaque and tartar building up that’s below your gum line. This is commonly where the bacteria that leads to periodontitis lives. Scaling is when the dentist scrapes away the plaque and tartar, whereas planing is when rough spots on your tooth’s root are made smooth, removing bacteria.
• Topical or oral antibiotics. These may be used on their own to reduce or eliminate the bacteria that causes gum disease. They might also be used
• Referral to an endodontist. Finally, if gum disease is serious enough, your dentist might refer you to an endodontist. These are dentists who specialise in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of gum disease. They will be the ones performing any surgical treatments, which range from pocket reduction procedures all the way to guided tissue regeneration.

Preventing cases of periodontitis developing first and foremost involve a good oral hygiene routine. That means brushing twice a day and flossing once before bed. You should also regularly visit your dentist for a check up and cleaning if necessary.

For diabetics, the most effective way to prevent periodontitis from developing is through effective control of your blood sugar levels. Managing your diabetes well decreases the risk of periodontitis.

Added Tips to Prevent Gum Disease

• Quit smoking. If you regularly smoke cigarettes, you could be up to three times as likely to develop periodontitis.
• Maintain your oral hygiene. That means you should be brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day – preferably before you go to sleep. In addition to that, schedule regular check-ups and cleanings with your dentist.
• Electric toothbrushes are generally more effective when it comes to removing plaque from the teeth, the first sign that can lead towards periodontitis.
• Don’t forget to always eat a healthy and balanced diet.