Do you suffer from bad breath, bleeding gums, swollen gums, loose or moving teeth or have difficulty chewing food?
Watch out, because those are all signs of gum disease (periodontal disease).
Gum disease is an infection of the gum, bone and tissues which can eventually result in an unstable base for your teeth, which can even lead to them falling out or needing removal.
Gum disease is a common cause of tooth loss, and can be more severe in people with diabetes. Diabetes adversely affects blood circulation and causes high blood sugar levels. Bacterial levels tend to increase, promoting gum disease and tooth decay, while resistance to infection and ability to heal are reduced. Also, diabetes affects the whole body and people with gum disease may find it more difficult to control their blood sugar.
Smoking and/or poor oral hygiene for people with diabetes significantly heightens the incidence of gum disease.
Click here to learn how you can prevent gum disease.