For people with diabetes, coping with their condition means major lifestyle changes involving diet, limiting or eliminating alcohol, and keeping a close watch on your body chemistry, specifically glucose levels. Diabetes makes people think of syringes and blood samples and meals that feature tasteless, fibrous foods. While that isn’t always the case, there are other factors that diabetics must deal with, including a potentially lethal combination of factors linking oral health and hygiene to diabetes. Put simply, that means diabetics cannot afford to neglect their gums.
Cause and effect
Gum disease and diabetes are a two-way street: there is a direct link between the two, and a problem with one affects the other. According to the American Diabetes Association, “Not only are people with diabetes more susceptible to serious gum disease, but serious gum disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes.” So if you have diabetes and habitually neglect your gums, you’re asking for big trouble. It’s not a surprising revelation, considering the link between dental health and heart disease. And it’s all the more reason to take good care of those gums.
The beginning of health
According to former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, a person cannot be truly healthy without oral health. Your teeth and gums are the gateway to the body, and the mechanisms that prepare sustenance for processing in the digestive system. For diabetics, oral health is essential. Multiple studies have found that if periodontal disease is present, diabetics are more likely to have negative health outcomes. Cavities and the erosion of tooth enamel represent another threat to oral health and contribute to diabetic complications.
Healthy habits
Maintaining oral health depends on the regular care of your tongue, palate and gums. The most important practice is the regular (twice daily) brushing of teeth and gums, the same routine that everyone learns before we begin grade school. Glucose, which is found in saliva, helps bacteria grow in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes. Those bacteria form plaque, which is removed by brushing and flossing. People who naturally form large amounts of plaque are at greater risk for poor oral health. That’s why regular oral maintenance is so important, as are regular visits to your dentist.
People who are used to a quick rinse-and-spit after meals likely aren’t doing enough to keep up with the demands of oral health. There’s a lot more to it. The Mayo Clinic recommends using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a technique that includes holding the toothbrush at a slight angle using a brief back-and-forth motion. Don’t go at it too hard – applying too much pressure can cause your gums to bleed, which can leave you vulnerable to bacteria. And don’t forget to floss – it’s the only way to clear the spaces between your teeth of plaque.
Long-term effects
People who suffer from poor oral hygiene risk problems that can be costly and threaten many other aspects of one’s overall health. From a dental standpoint, this can mean anything from fillings to root canals and dental implants. While dental medicine has advanced considerably, there’s little to be done with a tooth once it’s beyond saving. Someone who’s neglected oral health for many years may expect to pay a heavy price.
Diabetes can have a serious debilitating effect on your health if you don’t take it seriously. Medical evidence has shown a connection between periodontal decay and diabetes. Whether you’re diabetic or not, good oral health is essential to your overall health.
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