If you have diabetes, you probably know how important it is to keep your blood sugar under control. But did you know that diabetes can also affect your gums (and vice versa)? Today, your trusted Oak Park dentist is here to explain the strong connection between diabetes and gum disease.
Even if you’re not diabetic, taking care of your gums is essential. So, if you want a healthy smile and body, you need to attend twice-yearly checkups at Town and Country Dental of Oak Park, IL. Call Dr. Thomas Wegner and his team at (708) 383-0330 to take charge of your health today!
In today’s post, our Oak Park dentist explores how your mouth and your blood sugar are more connected than you might think.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an active infection of the periodontal tissues (i.e., gums and bone) that support your teeth. It starts with plaque buildup that hardens into tartar and causes inflammation.
Your Oak Park dentist wants you to know that early gum disease is called gingivitis. While it makes your gums red, swollen, and prone to bleeding, it is completely reversible. However, if you don’t take swift action to treat gingivitis, it can progress to periodontitis, which is irreversible and can lead to tooth loss.
How Diabetes Affects Your Gums
When your blood sugar is high, it weakens your infection-fighting white blood cells. That means your body has a harder time fighting off invaders, including the germs responsible for gum infections.
Your Oak Park dentist explains that diabetes also reduces blood flow to your gums. This slows down healing and allows bacteria to grow faster. Subsequently, people with diabetes are more likely to get gum disease, and it can be more severe.
It Goes Both Ways
Here’s something your Oak Park dentist finds especially important: Gum disease can make diabetes harder to control, too. Simply put, this means that inflammation from gum infections can raise your blood sugar levels.
It becomes a cycle. High blood sugar feeds gum disease, and gum disease raises blood sugar. That’s why keeping your mouth healthy is key to managing diabetes.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Your Oak Park dentist recommends keeping an eye out for these common signs of gum disease:
- Noticeably darker gums
- Swollen gums or gums that bleed easily
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- Loose teeth or gum recession
- Pain when chewing
If you notice any of these, schedule an appointment with your Oak Park dentist right away. Early treatment can stop gum disease before it gets worse.
What Your Oak Park Dentist Can Do
Your Oak Park dentist can help catch gum disease early and treat it effectively. Dr. Wegner may recommend deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) to eliminate germs and plaque underneath the gums to keep the disease under control.
In more advanced cases, your Oak Park dentist might suggest antibiotic treatments or refer you to a specialist. The goal is to stop the infection and protect your teeth.
Take Charge of Your Health – Call an Oak Park Dentist Now!
Don’t wait until gum disease causes serious damage. Contact your Oak Park dentist online here, or call Town and Country Dental of Oak Park, IL, at (708) 383-0330 to take a step toward better health for your mouth and whole body now!