Gum disease and diabetes share a troubling connection that can lead to serious health issues, experts warn. Recent studies have revealed a two-way relationship between these conditions, meaning they not only affect each other but also make each other worse.
Diabetes, a chronic condition where the body struggles to regulate blood sugar, is a growing global problem. Over 800 million people worldwide live with this disease.
It happens when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, the hormone that helps control blood sugar, or when cells stop responding to it effectively.
Along with many other complications, diabetes significantly raises the risk of gum disease. People with diabetes are three times more likely to develop severe gum problems.
Gum disease, or periodontitis, begins with mild inflammation of the gums but can progress to severe infection that damages the tissue and bone supporting the teeth.
When blood sugar is poorly controlled in diabetes, the immune system becomes weaker, making it harder to fight off these infections. Diabetes also causes more inflammation in the body, which further harms gum tissue.
The connection doesn’t stop there. Gum disease itself can make diabetes harder to manage. It increases inflammation throughout the body, which makes cells less responsive to insulin.
This means controlling blood sugar becomes even more difficult. In some cases, severe gum disease can even push someone who doesn’t yet have diabetes into a diabetic state.
This creates a harmful cycle. High blood sugar worsens gum disease, and worsening gum disease makes it harder to control blood sugar. Over time, this cycle can lead to serious complications, including heart disease and other life-threatening conditions.
However, there is some good news. Treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar control, breaking the cycle. Experts are now urging healthcare providers to work together to address both conditions.
Dentists, doctors, and other health professionals need to collaborate so patients get care that treats their oral health and their diabetes at the same time.
The scale of the problem is enormous. Over 1 billion people worldwide are estimated to have severe gum disease. Dr. Eduardo Montero, a dental expert from Spain, stresses that raising awareness is essential.
“People need to understand how closely linked oral health and overall health are,” he said. He also called for changes in healthcare systems to include oral health in strategies for managing diseases like diabetes.
Taking care of your gums isn’t just about keeping your teeth healthy—it could help protect your overall health.
Regular dental check-ups, good oral hygiene, and managing diabetes effectively are all steps you can take to break the harmful link between gum disease and diabetes. Recognizing this connection could save millions of lives.
If you care about gum health, please read studies about an important causes of tooth decay and gum disease, and common tooth disease that may increase risks of dementia.
For more information about gum health, please see recent studies about mouthwash that may increase your tooth damage, and results showing this diet could help treat gum disease.
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