Although a good few many people know of diabetes and its consequences or relation with other body parts, there’s still a lot to learn for. While the Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), kidney problems and more are often spoken of when people think of diseases caused adhering to diabetes, many don’t know about the gum care and its importance.

Gum care is still sought as one of the most important aspects of diabetes care and management but remains equally least appreciated of the lot. Going by the research and insights released via different studies, diabetes coasting along with gum disease makes for a grave thing.

We here would look into the relation between diabetes and gum disease and seek answers for the same.

What is a Gum Disease?

Gum disease ranges from a normal gum inflammation to the bigger and dangerous threats like damage to soft tissues and more. Gum disease if untreated for long can cause the loss of teeth. Many cases have ranged in the past few years of adults suffering from some sort of gum disease.

Gum disease in itself is of two types, ‘Gingivitis’ and ‘Periodontitis’. The former one is a form of inflammation caused due to bacteria and causes the gums to be red and swell upon. The gums might even bleed as a result of that.

The second kind, i.e. Periodontitis, is the case occurred when the gingivitis left untreated advances to the more severe form. Here, the gums pull off from the teeth and create pockets of space which in turn is affected. In the long run, an untreated form of periodontitis can cause issues for bones, tissues, and gums around the teeth.

How does Diabetes affect Oral Health/Gum Disease?

Although a lesser known complication in diabetes, gum disease is quite a headache. Around one-third of diabetic patients suffer from gum disease at least once in their lifetime. Gum disease causes the increase in the levels of cytokines and serum lipid in the body. These lead to insulin resistance syndrome leading to the development of diabetes.

Diabetes, when managed improperly, can lead to periodontal diseases later in the life. What really goes behind the scene is that higher blood sugar and glucose levels cause higher levels of glucose in the saliva. That, in turn, creates a breeding ground for bacteria in the gum area.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

We’ll list them out as that shall offer a better viewing. Off we go, then.

• Bleeding from gum region or mouth while brushing or flossing.
• Red, swollen gums
• Recessive gum
• Looseness in teeth
• Formation of Pus in the gum/teeth region.
• Presence of Bad Breath
• Change of jaw alignment

Major risks factors for gum disease

Gum disease involves multiple criteria where the risk inevitably increases. We’ll have them down here for you-

• Increased blood sugar or glucose levels
• Lack of oral hygiene
• Regular smoking (Read here: Does Smoking Affect Diabetes?)
• Viral infections in the gum or mouth region
• Medications that increase the blood pressure or sugar levels
• Immunity affecting diseases like HIV or Addison’s disease.

Diagnosis procedure for Gum disease

A persistent symptom showcasing in the ilk of aforementioned ones is a due calling for yourself to get diagnosed. The diagnosis procedure involved getting X-Rays or dental examinations. That way, the damage to the gum region and jaw areas can be assessed properly and then can be treated on.

We strongly advise you on seeking the help of a medical professional, i.e. dentist for better advice.

How to find the different stage of gum disease?

Gum diseases as we talked about earlier is generally of two types, i.e. gingivitis and periodontitis. We’ll here list the different stages that could relate the status of your gum disease down here.

a) Gingivitis

The mildest and the starting form of gum disease, this one is marked by swollen, red gums that cause bleeding from the gum and teeth region. The bleeding may result from even the smallest of dental actions like brushing or flossing. This one can be treated and averted with the aid of dentist.

b) Periodontitis

This one generally referred to the stage where gingivitis develops into further serious. Gingivitis when untreated causes periodontitis and is seen where the erosion starts in the tooth region. The person feeling the jitter some from the starting stage of periodontitis should get treated at the earliest to help cutaway from the disorder.

• However, when untreated upon, it starts developing another of the advanced stage where the soft tissue and bone is at loss around the tooth region.

The treatment procedure for gum disease

On a general note, the treatment procedure includes keeping and maintaining an oral hygiene and having your blood sugar levels in the optimal range. You’d be further advised to stay away from the smoking habits so as to keep your gums and tooth clean.

One way to maintain the oral hygiene is to keep your brushing habits for at least twice a day and helping your tooth to be clean all the time. You can include a mouthwash for better efficiency after brushing the teeth too. Apart from that, you’d be advised to keep your blood sugar levels in check.

However, if the case persists, then antibiotics or painkiller can be prescribed further for keeping the gum line in check. In the surgery can be required upon if not treated earlier.

How to treat the severe form of gum disease, i.e. Periodontal Disease?

Almost one-third of diabetic patients suffer from gum diseases later in their life. And amongst many of them, periodontal diabetes is common. We here would provide an assessment of the treatment for you. These assessments would include various treatment techniques and more.

• Plague removal and cleanup
• Dedicated medication for gum disease
• Surgery in cases where the severity increases greatly
• Dental implants and tissue grafts for support

Other Oral Problems associated with Diabetes?

There are quite a few problems that persist as a result of diabetes. A few of them are oral thrush that occurs generally due to high levels of glucose in the body and mouth. Other major causes are dryness in mouth and more. And there’s also the occurrence of constant gum bleeding. We’ll have a dedicated segment for this one down below.

Can diabetes cause bleeding gums?

Sadly, that’s a yes. Yup, you read that right. Diabetes and gum disease have such a great bonding in themselves that it often leads to the painful difficulties for many. Almost one-third of diabetic patients have a tendency to develop gum disease in their lifetime.at that in itself leads to the gum diseases like soreness, ulcers, infection and more. In the long run, bleeding from gum region becomes a new norm.

Any preventive tips for Gum disease?

Well, there’s a few of them. Maintaining an oral hygiene is definitely the top most of it. Always keep your brushing and flossing habits on a daily routine and for twice a day. that would keep away the plagues and any bacteria that may reside in the gum region.

And since, diabetes is a top culprit when it comes to affecting the teeth and gums, keep your blood sugar and glucose levels in check. Manage your diabetic complications or the risks for future diabetic issues and you’d be good to go.