Periodontitis is the term given to infections of the gums. This is a very serious ailment and it can lead to bone loss as well as loss of teeth. A City of Leeds dentist points out that this disease is more serious in the case of people who have diabetes. As a result, a diabetic person has to take more care of their oral hygiene in order to protect themselves from this disease.
There are many reasons why diabetes causes higher incidences of Periodontitis. To start with, a person with diabetes suffers from poor blood circulation. As a result of this, they are prone to get infections quicker than people who don’t have diabetes. To make matters worse, a diabetic also has lower resistance to infection which makes the consequences more serious. A diabetic is also likely to have higher glucose levels in the body that people who don’t have this disease. Their saliva is sweeter, and this gives bacteria more reason to live in their mouth.
It is therefore essential for a diabetic person to have very high standards of oral hygiene since they cannot afford to take any chances with this gum disease. If they already have the disease and are being treated for it, then they have to manage their diabetes a little better, else they will only be sabotaging the first treatment.
It is important that your dentist be told that you are diabetic so that your treatment plan can be made according to your specific requirements.