Periodontal disease affects just over 42% of adults aged 30 and older. Of course, this is a broad category, containing gingivitis and periodontitis. The former is reversible, the latter causes irreversible damage. So, you definitely want to keep gum disease from developing.
The Cause of Periodontal Disease in Diabetics
However, diabetics can be three times more likely to develop periodontitis compared to the rest of the population. Why is this? Well, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania did a comparison of healthy mice and diabetic mice. They found that periodontal disease developed from inflammation caused by diabetes. The inflammation from a specific cytokine, IL-17, altered bacteria in the mouth and made it more destructive.
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Ways to Prevent Periodontal Disease
Thankfully, there are ways you can prevent gum disease and keep existing disease under control. It’s important that diabetics stick to their dental routine to keep inflammation and bacteria from getting a foothold. Here’s what to focus on.
#1 Keep Your A1C Under 7.0
The A1C is a long-term indicator of your overall glucose levels. If you can keep them under control, you won’t have as much inflammation or bacterial overgrowth. A level of 7 should be a modest goal for diabetics.
#2 Brush After Meals
It may seem like you’re going overboard, but brushing after every meal is a good way to disrupt bacteria and remove food particles from your teeth. Remember to brush your tongue too!
#3 Floss Every Day
Flossing takes some extra time, but it’s well worth the effort. This practice can help remove bacteria and tartar build-up underneath the gum line.
#4 Swish with Mouthwash
A regular rinse with mouthwash can help kill bacteria and removes plaque and remaining food particles you may have missed while brushing.
#5 See a Periodontist
It’s recommended that everyone get a Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation (CPE) once a year. During the CPE, your periodontist will look at your teeth, gums, bone structure, plaque level, and bite to determine if you have periodontal disease.
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[expand title=”References“]
What Diabetic Mice Can Teach Us About Keeping Teeth Healthy. URL Link. Accessed August 31st, 2017.
Prevent periodontal disease. URL Link. Accessed August 31st, 2017.
CDC: Half of Americans adults hae periodontal disease. URL Link. Accessed August 31st, 2017.
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