Gum Disease and Diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association, research now suggests that the relationship between serious gum disease and diabetes is a two-way street. Diabetics are more susceptible to gum disease, and serious gum disease has the potential to affect blood glucose control. Uncontrolled, this contributes to the progression of diabetes. People with diabetes are often more susceptible to bacterial infections and have a decrease capacity to fight off the bacteria that contributes to gum disease. Other oral problems include a dry mouth and thrush, an infection that is caused by a fungus that grows in the mouth.

The publication Preventing Chronic Disease, states that “nationwide data on dental health among 37,609 adults ages 25 and older from 1971 through 2012 show that, while tooth loss is declining overall, it remains higher among people with diabetes”. It goes on to add that, by 2012, the average number of missing teeth was 6.6 for those with diabetes, compared with 3.4 for those without.

Diabetics who wear dentures or partial dentures must remove them nightly, and clean them before re-inserting them the next morning. A great gift for the denture wearer in your life is a new denture brush, cleansing tablets, and a container to soak them in!

Contact Winterset Dental today to find out which treatment is right for you.

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