Did you know oral health could be the key to effectively managing your diabetes?
Recent studies have shown there’s an important link between the two. In fact, your West Covina dentist can often detect signs and symptoms of diabetes during their oral evaluations.
And fortunately, they have the tools and expertise to help you attain better oral health and help control your blood sugar levels.
The link between oral health and diabetes is sugar and bacteria.
Oral bacteria feed on the sugars in the foods we eat. The bacteria release acids and cause inflammation, resulting in puffy, bleeding, and sore gums (the first signs ofgum disease). The acids can also result in dental decay and oral infections.
Patients with diabetes have a lowered immune response. When oral bacteria run rampant, it’s difficult for the body to fight the bacteria, which means it’s challenging to manage gum disease.
Additionally, when you have a chronic infection, you have chronic inflammation, something that can make it difficult to manage diabetes.
In fact, inflammation can contribute to the development of diabetes in the first place. A 2019 study found that pro-inflammatory compounds disrupt insulin-signaling pathways. The result is difficulty metabolizing glucose, eventually leading to type 2 diabetes.
For patients who already have diabetes, disrupted insulin-signaling pathways can make it difficult to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Poorly managed diabetes can lead to:
One of the leading causes of gum disease and dental decay is poor oral hygiene. Much of the bacteria that live in the mouth live inside plaque and tartar.
Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on the teeth after eating. We remove the plaque when we brush and floss.
If we don’t brush and floss properly – or don’t do it at all – the plaque will build up on the teeth and below the gum line. Over time, the plaque will start to calcify, turning into a substance called tartar. You cannot remove tartar with a toothbrush or floss. Only a dental professional can remove it.
The bacteria (and the acids they produce) irritate the gum tissue, eventually causing it to become inflamed and recede. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to bone and tooth loss.
And because gum disease is linked to diabetes, poor oral hygiene can indeed aggravate diabetes.
In addition to contributing to inflammation and insulin disruption, poor oral hygiene can lead to many other health conditions.
Gum disease has been linked to:
Untreated dental decay can cause oral infections that can lead to:
Therefore, practicing good oral hygiene is imperative – not just for your oral health but overall health.
According to the CDC, the best way for diabetes patients to practice good oral hygiene doesn’t differ that much from the average patient. They recommend:
Another vital key for managing diabetes is regular dental check-ups.
During these visits to your West Covina dentist, you’ll see a professional hygienist and your dentist.
During the dental cleaning, the dental hygienist will perform some diagnostic tests. These are quick and painless.
First, they’ll check the depth of the pockets around your teeth. Each tooth has six pockets – three in front and three in back. Healthy pockets range between one and three millimeters. Anything above that can indicate gingivitis or active gum disease. Your hygienist will also evaluate for gum recession and bone loss.
During the cleaning, the hygienist will remove all the plaque and tartar. Using specialized instruments, they’ll remove stubborn tartar from above and below the gum line. Removing this substance will give your gums a chance to heal.
If you have active, progressive gum disease, your West Covina dental team will recommend a deep dental cleaning.
When you have active gum disease, you already have some gum and bone loss, which means your gum pockets are quite deep. Anesthetic is needed to ensure your comfort during the procedure.
During the deep cleaning, the hygienist will clean the tartar off the teeth. They’ll also smooth the root surfaces (root planing) to help the gums heal and reattach to the roots. Root planing can also help prevent tartar build-up. However, good dental home care is a must to prevent disease progression.
Your West Covina dentist will also evaluate your gum tissue and bone levels during your check-up. They’ll also check for dental infections, decay, and soft tissue lesions.
While regular dental cleanings help prevent gum disease, exams are essential for catching dental diseases early.
If your dentist in West Covina catches a cavity early, they can treat it before it causes major issues – like infections, pain, or diabetes complications.
Though the connection is clear, the link between oral health and blood sugar levels is often overlooked.
But you are in control of your health! Regular dental check-ups, good oral hygiene practices at home, and early treatment of oral health issues can reduce your risk of diabetes complications.
Because you’re aware of the link between oral health and diabetes, you’re an empowered patient. You can take a comprehensive approach to your oral health, ensuring that your healthcare providers (including your West Covina dentist) address every aspect of your health and well-being.
This, in turn, will ensure improved overall health, healthier teeth and gums, and better quality of life.
Take control of your health. Contact Dentist of West Covina to schedule a consultation. We’ll show you how to protect your general health by maintaining good oral health.
CALL (626) 605-6601
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