Periodontal disease has many links to a patient’s overall, or systemic, health. For instance, periodontal disease can affect or be affected by diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In the case of diabetes, if a patient’s blood sugar is uncontrolled, he is more likely to have uncontrolled, active periodontal disease. What is more stunning is that the reverse is also true – if periodontal disease is uncontrolled, a patient’s diabetes may be too.
Periodontal diseases are infections of the gum and bone that hold the teeth in place. In advanced stages, they lead to painful chewing problems and even tooth loss. Like any infection, gum disease can make it hard to keep your blood sugar under control.
Keeping periodontal disease under control is now more important than has ever been thought before.
How Does Periodontal Disease Develop?
Poor brushing and flossing habits allow dental plaque -- a sticky film of germs -- to build up on teeth, also known as gingivitis. Some of these germs cause gum disease. The gums can become red and swollen and may bleed during tooth brushing or flossing.
Gingivitis can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing and regular cleanings by the dentist. If it is not stopped, gingivitis could lead to a more serious type of gum disease called periodontitis.
In periodontitis, plaque builds and hardens under the gums. The gums pull away from the teeth, forming “pockets” of infection. The infection leads to loss of the bone that holds the tooth in its socket, and might lead to tooth loss.
There are often no warning signs of early periodontitis. Pain, abscess, and loosening of the teeth do not occur until the disease is advanced. Since periodontitis affects more than just the gums, it cannot be controlled with regular brushing and flossing. Periodontitis should be treated by a periodontist (a gum disease specialist) or by a general dentist who has special training in treating gum diseases.
How is Periodontal Disease Treated?
Treatment of periodontitis depends on how much damage the disease has caused. In the early stages, the dentist or periodontist will use deep cleaning to remove hardened plaque and infected tissue under the gum and smooth the damaged root surfaces of teeth. This allows the gum to re-attach to the teeth. A special mouth rinse or an antibiotic may be prescribed to control infection.
Deep cleaning is successful only if the patient regularly brushes and flosses to keep the plaque from building up again.
If you have diabetes, it's important for you to know how well your diabetes is controlled and to tell your dentist this information at each visit.
What is the Link between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease?
According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse and the American College of Periodontology, gum disease is linked to diabetic control. People with poor blood sugar control get gum disease more often and more severely, and they lose more teeth than do persons with good control. People whose diabetes is well controlled have no more periodontal disease than persons without diabetes.
Good diabetic control is the best protection against periodontal disease. Studies show that controlling blood sugar levels lowers the risk of some complications of diabetes, such as eye and heart disease and nerve damage. Scientists believe many complications, including gum disease, can be prevented with good diabetic control.
How Can You Protect Your Teeth and Gums?
Harmful germs attack the teeth and gums when plaque builds up. You can stop plaque build-up and prevent gum disease by brushing and flossing carefully every day. Also, consider these tips:
- Use a piece of dental floss about 18 inches long.
- Using a sawing motion, gently bring the floss through the tight spaces between the teeth.
- Do not snap the floss against the gums.
- Curve the floss around each tooth and gently scrape from below the gum to the top of the tooth several times.
- Rinse your mouth after flossing.
- Gently brush teeth twice a day with a soft nylon brush with rounded ends on the bristles.
- Avoid hard back-and-forth scrubbing.
- Use small circle motions and short back-and-forth motions.
- Gently brush your tongue, which can trap germs.
Reference:
“Gateway to the Body: Your Mouth” The Benefits Bulletin, March 2009.
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