Why Diabetics Need To Be On the Lookout for Signs of Gum Disease
The signs of gum disease are plentiful but usually by the time that the sore gums, bleeding gums, or even receding gums are noticed, the condition is too far advanced to simply be taken care of at home and it requires the intervention of a dental health care professional to remove the harmful plaque and set up the patient for a successful maintenance and oral health program to be followed at home.
Diabetics have a strike against them from the get go since their glucose levels have the potential of getting out of control and may thus inadvertently also affect the health of teeth and gums. After all, the more unrestrained glucose is found in the system of a diabetic, the more sugars are also present in the mouth and this is the premier environment for the development of periodontal diseases. Sugars are, after all, the preferred food source for bacteria, and it is the bacteria which are associated with signs of gum disease!
As gum disease progresses, the oversupply of sugar in the body’s system also puts at risk the dental structures since the added sugar will put teeth in the line of fire when it comes to cavities. As a matter of fact, the signs of gum disease and the pockets that develop between the gums and teeth when periodontitis is present are closely related to the glucose level fluctuations that are so common when diabetes is present. This in turn will make the gum disease worse and by the time the first signs of gum disease are observed the damage below the gum line is frequently already forming!
Yet there are other reasons why diabetics need to be on the lookout for signs of gum disease. For one, the fact that dry mouth goes hand in hand with diabetes leads to a rapid increase in the growth of anaerobic bacteria which are known culprits when it comes to periodontal disease. Since saliva is essential in the washing away of bacteria, it is not surprising that failure to keep a close eye on the possible formation of plaque will have dire consequences.
Many diabetics have found that sucking on sugar free candy may be one way – and a pleasant one at that – to increase the formation of saliva. At night, a glass of water placed next to the alarm clock on the night stand will offer the opportunity to wet the whistle if you wake up thirsty.
In extreme cases your dentist might consider offering you the use of a synthetic saliva substitute although it is imperative to note that these substitutes are not nearly as effective in washing away the harmful bacteria as natural saliva but nonetheless they do serve their purpose in offering at least some protection against the spread of gum disease. Nonetheless, it is wise for a diabetic to always be on the lookout for signs of gum disease and visit a dental health care professional at the first sign of trouble to avoid a potentially serious oral health emergency.