In recent years a larger and larger portion of the U.S. population suffers from metabolic syndrome, which includes diabetes, insulin resistance and lipid problems.
We can attribute part of this to inflammation throughout the body. One of the initiating factors to diabetes can be chronic inflammation which occurs frequently with gum disease.
Studies show that over 50% of people have gum disease and this makes you much more likely to have or develop diabetes.
In one study, 82% of diabetic patients with periodontitis experienced one or more major cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular events during the study period of 1-11 years, compared to only 21% of diabetic subjects without periodontitis.
Periodontal diseases are among the most common diseases in humans
If you are diabetic, you may not know it but there’s a very good chance you may already have periodontal “gum” disease.
Because these conditions are so closely linked, they tend to work together in a downward spiral of disease.
The good news is, if you get periodontal disease treated, it will most likely help lower blood sugar (A1c) and it will be much easier to control diabetes.
Gum disease is caused by parasites and pathogens that get under your gums and multiply causing infection in your mouth and inflammation throughout your entire body.
When you eliminate this infection, you reduce overall inflammation and your body responds in a positive way not only in regards to diabetes but also many other systemic diseases, including heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer, and so many more.
Diabetes also increases the risk for periodontal disease
For someone with diabetes it is harder to shield the body from a bacterial infection and high blood sugar levels make it easier for bacteria to thrive in the mouth.
This means that not only does having diabetes make an infection harder to fight, but also having serious gum disease can make diabetes harder to keep in check.
The link between diabetes and gum disease becomes even stronger when you look at the possible effect of an oral infection on your blood sugar levels.
When you have gum disease, your tissue tends to bleed more easily and this allows a direct point of entry for pathogens to get into your bloodstream and cause inflammation.
Taking care of your oral health, whether you have diabetes or not, is much more important than you may think.
Treating periodontal inflammation can lower blood sugar levels (with significant reported HbA1c reductions)
Our patient, Juanita Barnes, is a great success story of someone who treated her gum disease and saw a huge improvement in her diabetes.
When she first came to us her A1c was over 14.0! Dr. Nemeth told her that once she completed her LANAP treatment, she could expect her blood sugar levels to be significantly reduced.
Once she was through with treatment, her A1c dropped to 8.6 and that was after just two months! She and her internist are thrilled with the results and she is able to control her diabetes much more easily. Ms. Barnes said, “I am just overwhelmed and ecstatic about it…it has never been this low!” She is feeling better than ever.
Letting diabetes go uncontrolled
Diabetes patients with poor glycemic control are at greater risk for progression of periodontal destruction over time, and are more likely to have severe periodontitis than those with well controlled diabetes.
Controlling diabetes is likely to reduce the risk and severity of periodontitis.
Nearly 22% of people with diabetes have periodontal disease and as we age, poor blood sugar control escalates the risk for gum problems. In fact, people with diabetes are at a higher risk for gum problems because of poor blood sugar levels.
How to lower blood sugar levels
If you have type 2 diabetes, keeping your gums healthy can help you control your diabetes. It also may help lower your risk of experiencing problems, such as blindness and kidney disease.
While these two conditions may make each other more difficult to manage, there is still a lot that you can do to prevent and control both diabetes and gum disease.
Have a Diabetes/Dental Health Plan for Yourself
Having a team in place is important in keeping your oral health in check. Talk with your dentist about your health and any medications that you may be taking.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please visit our website,
www.drnemeth.com
We are happy to help you.
Joseph R. Nemeth DDS & Associates
29829 Telegraph Road #111
Southfield, MI 48034
(248) 357-3100
We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid at our office.
If you are a new patient, we require that a $25 deposit be made prior to your appointment in order to reserve your time.
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