Some people lose their teeth at ages as early 29 due to gum disease. However, in many cases this gum disease is directly related to Diabetes, as the sufferers from this disease are more susceptible to the condition due to poor wound healing, shaky teeth, gum pain and gum swelling caused by their Diabetes.
As more and more diabetic patients are diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontitis. In many cases the damage to the gum tissue and the supporting bone is so severe that teeth need to be removed. Although most of the times, people are able to keep their teeth after an early diagnosis if the follow the right treatment for their gums and teeth, many other people are not that lucky.
Further, gum infections are also related to precancerous stomach lesions, and some doctors warn about the dangers of seeking out help when it’s far too late and the teeth can’t be salvaged because of the severe and irreparable damage to the teeth supporting structure. Thus, it is recommended to look for professional help as soon as the diagnosis comes through. According to a study published in the Singapore Dental Journal, 40% of adult diabetics in the moderately advanced stage suffer from some sort of irreversible periodontal disease.
Since diabetes causes poor immune responses, poor wound healing, increased inflammatory responses and impaired fat metabolism, people with this disease are 3 to 4 times more sensitive to develop severe gum disease. However, not everything is lost as an effective gum treatment during an early stage of the disease could in fact, improve diabetic control on various levels.
If the gums are the only affected areas in your mouth, most likely due to a case of gingivitis, the issue is easy to treat and reverse without any long-term consequences. But if left unchecked, gingivitis can end up turning into periodontitis, which can be really difficult to treat and irreversible. Some signs you should look for include:
- Red and swollen gums
- Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth, floss or eat
- Bad breath
If your gums are itchy, it means that your gingivitis has progressed into a periodontitis, and if they haven’t already started to shrink, they will soon expose your teeth which will make them shaky as they start to shift.
Periodontitis can also have a big impact on various other conditions like infected heart valves, atherosclerosis, aspiration pneumonia, stroke and diabetes mellitus, but if you treat gum disease correctly and maintain your gums healthy a lot of the risk for the previously mentioned conditions can be reduced, and even improve your overall health.
Remember that is better to be safe than sorry and hence, prevention is key to avoid any serious issues or gum problems. Visit your dentist with regularity and keep good hygiene habits like brushing after every meal, using an antiseptic mouthwash and flossing regularly.
