Next week is World Diabetes Day. In the United States millions of people suffer from gum disease and diabetes. However, few people are aware of the possible link between these two chronic illnesses. By protecting your oral heath you help safeguard your smile against the disease, even if you are diagnosed with diabetes.
What Causes Gum Problems?
Why do we develop this disease? The issue occurs when the gums undergo inflammation. The inflammation could be the result of poor oral hygiene, hormonal fluctuations, genetic predisposition, the use of certain medications, or chronic illness. The inflammation causes the gums to actually pull away from the teeth, forming pockets at the gum line. Once bacteria invade the pockets the disease can set in. Over time, periodontal disease can lead to a number of serious oral health issues, such as adult tooth loss.
What are the Warning Signs?
There are a number of possible symptoms to periodontal disease, including:
- Sore gums
- Red gums
- Bleeding when brushing/flossing
- Bad breath
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth
If you think you recognize one or more of these possibly warning signs then contact your doctor right away. Identifying and treating the issue in the early stages can protect the stability and overall health of your smile. If you have any questions about treating periodontal problems or recognizing the symptoms then please contact our office today.
Gum Disease and Diabetes
How does this disease link to diabetes? First, people who have disease have a greater chance of developing gum problems, so much so that many consider gum disease to simply be another complication of the disease. This is due to the disease causing the patient to be more prone to infection, leading to the onset of periodontal issues. Likewise, gum disease can affect how a patient regulates sugar, making the risk of diabetes higher.
ABOUT YOUR RICHARDSON, TX, DENTIST:
Viva Dental in Dallas, TX, welcomes patients from North Oak Cliff, Bishop Arts District, Kessler Park, Duncanville, Grand Prairie, and nearby cities. Viva Dental in Richardson, TX, happily welcomes patients from North Dallas, Plano, Garland, and the surrounding communities. To learn more, contact the Viva Dental office nearest you. To schedule an appointment, call Viva Dental Family Dentistry at (214) 337-7800 (Dallas) or (972) 437-6000 (Richardson).
