The American Diabetes Association believes that people with type 2 diabetes can help control the disease by taking care of their gums. Several studies support this belief.
- A study of United States population data between 1988 and 1994 showed that having gum disease doubled a person’s risk of experiencing insulin resistance.
- A study from Stony Brook University linked severity of gum disease with degree of insulin resistance. Inflammatory chemicals produced by the infection in the mouth could enter the bloodstream and affect cells that deal with insulin.
- A study from the National Institutes of Health found that treating gum disease and undergoing routine dental care significantly lowered long-term blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Studies of the Pima Indians in the southwest United States (a population with a high rate of type 2 diabetes) found that people with severe gum disease had a much higher risk of kidney problems and heart disease related to diabetes.
Good control of your blood sugar can help slow the progression of diabetes and complications like heart disease, kidney disease, and more. These studies show a definite link between gum health/dental care and diabetes control.
Many people — diabetic or otherwise — don’t realize they have gum disease. An inflammation in the mouth may take a long time to develop noticeable symptoms. But if your body is busy fighting periodontal disease, you may have a harder time controlling your diabetes.
What can you do?
- Make sure you visit a dentist for a check-up on a regular basis.
- If you do have gum disease, you may need a course of antibiotics to help clear up any infection.
- If you do have gum disease, you may need more frequent professional cleanings.
- Brush and floss daily!
- Visit your diabetes specialist or general practitioner on a regular basis to check the progress of your diabetes and any complications.