Protect Your Gums This American Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month, a time to raise awareness about a condition that affects millions of Americans. Most people know that diabetes can impact the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. But did you know it can also take a toll on your gums?

The connection between diabetes and gum health is well established, and it works in both directions. Whether you have been living with diabetes for years or were recently diagnosed, understanding this link can help you protect your oral health and your overall health at the same time.

How Diabetes and Gum Disease Are Connected

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It starts as gingivitis, a mild inflammation of the gums, and can progress to periodontitis, which damages the bone and tissue holding your teeth in place. People with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease, and they often experience it more severely.

Why Diabetes Raises Your Risk

When blood sugar levels run high, more sugar is present in your saliva. That creates an ideal environment for the bacteria that form plaque along your gumline. At the same time, diabetes can weaken your body’s ability to fight off infection and reduce blood flow to the gums, making it harder for your tissues to stay healthy and recover from irritation.

Diabetes is also linked to higher levels of inflammation throughout the body. Because gum disease is driven by inflammation, that added burden can make your gums react more strongly to plaque and make existing problems harder to bring under control.

How Gum Disease Can Affect Blood Sugar

Here is where the relationship becomes a two-way street. Research suggests that the ongoing inflammation caused by periodontitis can make it harder for the body to use insulin effectively. In other words, untreated gum disease may make blood sugar more difficult to manage, which in turn leaves the gums even more vulnerable.

The encouraging news is that this cycle can work in reverse, too. Some studies have found that treating gum disease is associated with modest improvements in blood sugar control, which is one more reason to take your gum health seriously.

Other Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth

Your gums are not the only part of your mouth that can feel the effects of diabetes. A few other changes are worth watching for, especially when blood sugar has been difficult to keep in range.

Dry Mouth

Diabetes can reduce saliva flow, particularly when blood sugar runs high. Saliva helps rinse away food particles and neutralize acids, so less of it means a greater chance of cavities, gum irritation, and bad breath.

Slower Healing

Sores, irritated gum tissue, and areas treated during dental procedures may take longer to heal when diabetes is not well controlled. This is one reason we like to know about your  (or any other medical condition you have) before any treatment, so we can plan your care accordingly.

Oral Infections

People with diabetes are more prone to fungal infections such as thrush, which can appear as white or red patches on the tongue, cheeks, or roof of the mouth. Denture wearers should be especially diligent about cleaning their dentures daily, since a poorly cleaned denture can harbor the same fungus.

Signs of Gums Disease

Gum disease often develops quietly, without much pain in the early stages. That is why it helps to know what to look for between visits. Reach out to us if you notice:

• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Gums that seem to be pulling away from your teeth
• Loose teeth or a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Everyday Habits That Protect Your Gums

The good news is that gum disease is largely preventable, and many of the habits that protect your gums also support better diabetes management. A few to focus on:

• Brush twice a day and floss daily. Plaque that sits along the gumline is where gum disease begins, so removing it consistently is your first line of defense.
• Work toward your blood sugar goals. Following the plan you have set with your doctor benefits your whole body, and your gums are no exception.
• Stay hydrated. Sipping water throughout the day helps combat dry mouth and keeps your saliva doing its job.
• Avoid tobacco. Smoking significantly raises the risk of gum disease and slows healing, both of which are already concerns for people with diabetes.
• Keep up with professional cleanings. A cleaning removes hardened buildup that brushing and flossing at home cannot reach.

Partnering With Your Dental Team

This American Diabetes Month, take a moment to give your gums a little extra care. If it has been a while since your last checkup, or if you have noticed any changes in your gums, give us a call to schedule a visit.