Diabetes and Gum Disease: Managing Your Oral Health

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is connected to gum disease because elevated blood glucose levels make it harder for your body to fight off infection, which can lead to gum disease and lost teeth. Diabetics have a decreased ability to fight off infection once it begins, leaving the body and oral cavity more vulnerable to bacterial infection.

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, and sufferers typically experience symptoms such as red gums, swollen gums, light bleeding when brushing or flossing and bad breath. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis sufferers develop pockets of infection between gums and teeth, and this is where it gets really serious for diabetics because diabetes slows the healing process. Untreated periodontitis can lead to tooth loss and serious infection.

The infection from gum disease can cause diabetics to suffer from dry mouth.