Understand the Impact of Diabetes on Gum Health
Posted on June 13, 2024
Studies show that over 3 million Canadians over the age of 1 year old are living with diabetes. Leading organizations forecast the prevalence of diabetes among Canadians to reach about 17% of the population in the next 10 years. There are many ways in which diabetes can impact your life, including your gum health, but the prevalent disease does not have to control you. The best way to protect your smile is to understand how diabetes can alter and disrupt your gum health. If you’re concerned, talk to a medical professional or book a visit at The Perio Centre to speak to a leading periodontist in Oshawa. Our team offers a number of high-quality services, from periodontal hygiene and dental implants to preserve, protect, and restore your smile.
If you’ve been recently diagnosed or have been living with diabetes, here’s what you should understand about the disease and its effect on the gums.
Diabetes and Gum Disease
Because diabetes is essentially the result of the body’s inability to produce insulin or for the insulin your body produces to work effectively, it can cause high blood sugar more often than someone without diabetes. The result of more frequent bouts of high blood sugar results is an increased risk of gum disease.
Saliva, Tartar and Plaque
One reason diabetes can increase the risk of gum disease is by changing the make-up of your saliva. In most cases, saliva is enriched with sodium, calcium, copper, magnesium, bicarbonates, and organic phosphates. When your blood sugar is high, especially for an extended period, the saliva makeup changes, resulting in higher levels of glucose and calcium and significantly lower levels of zinc and magnesium. As a result, the natural clearing process where your saliva helps break down plaque and tartar is diminished, resulting in more buildup around your teeth and gums.
Infections Around the Gums
The increased glucose also increases the chances for cavities and infections, putting your smile at risk without the intervention of a skilled periodontist in Oshawa. As the gums become weaker from tartar and plaque buildup, they also become more prone to infection. When exposed to bacteria, people with diabetes are more likely to have an intense inflammatory response that causes irritation, pain, and other disruptive effects.
Tooth Loss and Diabetes
Whether a tooth is pulled because of a severe infection and cavities, or the structures within the gum that hold the teeth in place weaken, causing loose or falling teeth, tooth loss is a common experience for those living with diabetes. If the severity of gum disease is identified by a dentist or periodontist early on, you can visit specialists like The Perio Centre team to take preventative measures such as gum grafting, guided tissue regeneration, periodontal flap surgery, and more to strengthen your gums and preserve your smile.
However, if you’ve already lost a tooth to gum disease or you’re at risk of tooth loss, you can restore the missing tooth with high-quality dental implants. At The Perio Centre, Dr. Adam Ohayon can help you assess your existing gum health and determine whether dental implants are a fit for your smile. We use surgical-grade titanium implants and custom-fit crowns to replace lost teeth. Dental implants are a popular choice for those in Canada struggling with diabetes and gum disease because of their ability to replicate the health and functionality of a natural tooth. Industry-leading implants allow you to eat, chew, talk, and laugh comfortably. They can last a lifetime with regular oral care routines and check-ins with your periodontist in Oshawa.
Protect Your Smile Against Diabetes with The Perio Centre
Gum disease can be challenging, especially when you’re balancing it with diabetes, but our team of experienced medical experts is here to help you with advanced equipment, years of expertise, and tailored treatment options. Reenvision the future of your smile with Dr. Adam Ohayon and The Perio Centre team.