DIABETES & PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Diabetes is a serious disease in which the body loses its ability to control the level of blood sugar in the blood. It is caused by either a deficiency in insulin production, or an inability of the body to utilize the hormone.

It is essential for diabetes to monitor and keep their condition under control. While some control their diabetes with insulin, most control it through medication, diet and exercise. In addition, if you are a diabetic, you need to keep your mouth and gums free from infection, as this may have a significant impact on the control of your diabetes.

Periodontal disease has been recently recognized as the ‘sixth’ major complication of diabetes. Diabetic have a higher prevalence of periodontal disease as well as more severe and more rapidly progressive forms of the periodontal disease than non-diabetics. Individuals with poorly controlled blood sugar levels also tend to exhibit more periodontal disease than well-controlled diabetics.

Why is gum disease significant to me as a diabetic?

As a diabetic, you have a poorer immune response to infection. If your diabetes is not well-controlled, you are more likely to have periodontal disease. You may also develop periodontal abscesses (gum boils).

periodontal abscess=gum boils

Abscesses are swellings of the gums that have become infected and are often painful. The presence of periodontal disease may also affect your body’s ability to process and use insulin. This may cause your diabetes to be more difficult to control, resulting in your periodontal disease becoming more severe than a non-diabetic.

What other symptoms may I have?

In addition to being more susceptible to periodontal disease, you may also experience:

• Delayed wound healing (mouth ulcers, tooth sockets after extractions, oral surgical wounds)

•   Decreased or reduced flow of saliva  

• Burning sensation in the mouth or the tongue

These symptoms are more likely to occur if your diabetes is not well-controlled.

How can I prevent periodontal disease?

Since bacteria in plaque cause the disease, you have to

1.     Remove plaque from your teeth daily by careful, effective brushing and flossing

2.     Regular visits to your dentist. Your dentist will check the status of your gums and teeth, and perform a professional cleaning to remove the calculus and plaque that has build up in areas that have been missed out during your own cleaning.

3.     Require more frequent visits to your dentist to check for recurrence of disease and for your maintenance care if you have already been treated for periodontal disease

 

What must I do if I have periodontal disease?

See your dentist, or a periodontist (gum specialist).

1. Treatment for patients with well-controlled diabetes is similar to that for non-diabetic.

        This consists of a thorough cleaning that includes scaling and root planning. 

    2. If your disease is more advanced, you may require further, more complex 
        treatment.



    3. It is usually advisable to schedule your appointments in the early morning after you 

       have had your breakfast. This would help to prevent severe or sudden drops in 

       your blood sugar level during treatment.

      

For those with problems keeping their diabetes under control, treatment for their periodontal disease is less predictable and the periodontal disease may take longer to resolve.

Dental care, which is specifically aimed at monitoring the health of the periodontal tissues and providing the necessary treatment.