Are Diabetics More Likely To Get Periodontal Disease?

Diabetes and periodontal disease

Whats the connection?

Yes you heard right!!!!!! Diabetics are more likely to get periodontal disease.

 probably because diabetics are more susceptible to contracting infections.

In fact," periodontal disease is often considered the sixth complication of diabetes"

If you control periodontal disease, it may help you control your blood sugar

How?

Having an infection, including periodontal disease can impair the body’s ability to process and/or use insulin, so if you control the infection it might be easier to control the blood sugar.

The prevalence of diabetic issues continues to improve yearly, creating an immense monetary burden in order to Canadians priced at over $9 billion within healthcare, impairment, work reduction as well as premature dying. Approximately 35% associated with adults donrrrt know that they even have diabetes so that as primary medical service providers dental care hygienists may be in the lead in helping to evaluate dental modifications that may well show undiscovered diabetes.

Elevated blood sugar can precipitate an increase in sugar-loving bacteria that cause and increase in plaque formation that can than lead to inflammation and periodontal diseases.

"In 2000 The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) took a strong stand on this bi-directional relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes and issued a statement that that oral health professionals should contact clients’ physicians to inform them of any periodontal diseases, since periodontal infections may increase insulin resistance, lead to a worsening of the diabetic state and increase the risk of diabetic complications."

So… if you are diabetic, remember that oral homecare and professional periodontal maintenance (regular teeth cleaning) will help you to better manage your diabetes and insure that your oral and systemic health are optimal.