What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, occurs when plaque builds up between the teeth and gums, creating a bacterial infection. If you do not treat the infection, the plaque can destroy the bones and gums around the teeth. Sometimes, if you have had diabetes for a while and your blood sugar has been high, you face a greater risk for periodontal disease.
Recent studies indicate that having gum disease might increase your risk of atherosclerosis, heart disease, and kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes.
Many people experience gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums. Treating it early can help prevent the gum disease from progressing to periodontitis, a more severe form of periodontal disease that requires more care.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Plaque, a colorless and very sticky substance, constantly forms on our teeth and tries to attack the enamel of the teeth. Plaque results from the breakdown of carbohydrates (sugars and starches). If plaque builds up too much, it hardens (i.e., calcifies), resulting in periodontal disease.
People with diabetes are more susceptible to periodontal disease because of increased and varying blood sugar levels that affect the level of bacteria in the mouth. But, other risk factors of the disease also exist, including:
- A diet that lacks healthy nutrients, especially vitamin C
- Genetics
- Tobacco use
- Autoimmune or systemic diseases, such as some herpes viruses or HIV
- Constant clenching of the teeth
- Hormonal change
- Some medications, such as phenytoin or cyclosporine
What Are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?
Symptoms of periodontal disease might include gums that:
- Bleed when you brush or floss
- Are swollen, red, or tender
- Seem to have pulled back from your teeth
- Your teeth loosen or separate
- Your dentures, if you wear them, do not fit quite right
- You have bad breath that does not go away
- Pus forms between your gums and teeth
- The way you bite might have changed, indicating a realignment of your jaw
How Can You Treat Periodontal Disease?
Your dental professional will perform a procedure called scaling and root planing to remove the plaque. Think of it as a type of very deep cleaning of your teeth and gums.
Scaling scrapes the plaque off your teeth both above and below the gum line. Root planing smooths any rough spots on your teeth where bacteria might get stuck.
Some people might need to take antibiotics. You might also need to use an antimicrobial mouthwash to help keep your mouth clean and minimize the bacteria.
Often, your dentist will recommend that you get your teeth cleaned every three months if you have periodontal disease. This decreases the chance that plaque will cause more infections.
Some people do not respond to the root planing and scaling, and thus the periodontal disease persists. In these cases, the dentist might recommend a type of gum surgery.
How Can You Prevent Periodontal Disease?
You can help minimize your risk for periodontal disease by following these steps:
- Test your blood sugar often to make sure it is in your normal range
- Brush and floss your teeth at least twice each day
- Use toothpaste that contains fluoride
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet that is low in sugar
- Avoid using tobacco
- Visit your dentist regularly to get your teeth cleaned
Dental Care
It is very important to see your dentist regularly. People with diabetes are more susceptible to periodontal disease because increased blood glucose enhances the level of bacterial in the mouth. Other factors can add to this problem such as poor diet, smoking, and even medications. Periodontal disease can be chronic or acute, and so your dentist is checking for problems with the gums and bone that support your teeth.
What are symptoms of periodontal disease? Your gums may bleed when your brush or floss, are red, swollen and tender. The gum may be pulled back from your teeth, and even your teeth are loose. You may have bad breath that doesn’t go away.
Caring for your teeth and gums:
- Keep your blood glucose in the target range!
- Brush your teeth twice a day, and even after you eat.
- Use dental floss daily.
- See your dentist every six months and remind him/her you have diabetes.
- If you wear dentures, keep them clean, and rinse your mouth with mouthwash.
- Call your dentist if you notice any of the above symptoms.
