While you may know that lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise can help to manage type 2 diabetes, did you know that good oral health can help as well?
If you are struggling to manage your blood sugar, make sure that your gums are not contributing to the problem by getting a periodontal evaluation. If you have diabetes and any level of gum disease, research shows that advanced periodontal treatment is an essential part of diabetes management.
According to the American Dental Association, gum disease raises blood sugar in patients with or without diabetes. That means that a visit to your dentist or periodontist can help to reduce your risk of diabetes. It also means that if you have diabetes, treatment for gum disease can be part of your diabetes management plan.
Something as simple as non-surgical periodontal treatment and periodontal maintenance can help.
Periodontal Care & Diabetes
Unstable periodontal disease and unstable diabetes create a vicious cycle. Both diseases worsen because of inflammation and both contribute to the body’s inflammatory response. Since periodontal treatment helps to reduce inflammation, it appears to help break that cycle and move patients toward better overall health.
Hemoglobin A1C is a test that reveals a patient’s average blood sugar levels over the last three-month period. Typically, doctors like an A1C under 7. When that number rises, doctors and their physicians look for ways to lower it like medication, diet, and exercise. Oral health is one more important component of diabetes management.
As clinical periodontal professionals, we have often seen patients who are struggling to keep their A1C in-check. In fact, it is not unusual to see new patients who have levels above 8 or even 9. While we can never guarantee a lower A1C with periodontal care, we have plenty of research and anecdotal evidence to support the fact that periodontal treatment helps patients manage their diabetes and lowering A1C levels.
The link between periodontal disease and diabetes has been extensively studied. The science shows that because diabetes lowers resistance to infection, it puts patients at higher risk of gum disease. But patients often don’t know that active periodontal infection can cause higher long-term blood sugar levels.
According to recent studies, the non-surgical periodontal treatment called scaling & root planing has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in study participants who had type 2 diabetes when compared to those who received a regular dental cleaning to treat their gum disease.
Periodontal Maintenance & Diabetes Management
The connection between gum health and diabetes means that it’s important to take your oral health seriously. If you have both gum disease and diabetes, you may need to get your teeth cleaned more frequently after initial periodontal treatment. While cleaning intervals vary for individual patient needs, research shows that three-month cleanings are the most effective way to remove the harmful bacteria that triggers the active inflammation that is proven to increase blood sugar.
Make a Dental Plan
Because of the bidirectional relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes, communication with your dental professional is an important part of your diabetes management plan. Always make sure you visit your dentist for bi-annual visits and discuss the following:
- Make sure your dentist knows you have type 2 diabetes and report your current A1C levels at each visit.
- Report any signs of gum disease such as bleeding, redness, inflammation, mouth soreness, dry mouth, chronic bad breath, or loose teeth to your dentist.
If your dentist indicates that you have signs of gum disease, make sure that you visit a periodontist for a full evaluation so you can get the gum treatment you need to both improve your oral health and help manage your diabetes.