DID YOU KNOW DIABETES CAN CONTRIBUTE TO TOOTH LOSS?
If you are an adult with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and your blood
sugar control is sometimes not as good as your doctor or nurse wants it
to be, you can lose some or all of your teeth from a serious type of
gum infection called periodontal disease. Diabetes may lower your
ability to fight the germs that cause periodontal (gum) disease.
WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE AND WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE DIAGNOSED AND TREATED?
Periodontal or gum disease is a serious gum infection that can lead
to tooth loss and might prevent you from achieving the nutritional
goals set by your doctor or diabetes educator. If not detected by a
dentist or hygienist or if left untreated, periodontal disease can
cause an infection that destroys the bone supporting your teeth. As the
gum disease progresses, symptoms might include tooth loosening or
shifting, bad breath, or bleeding gums. Periodontal disease can worsen
blood glucose control and vice versa.
If your blood glucose is high or fluctuates, you are at risk of developing severe periodontal disease.
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