Diabetes & Oral Health

High blood sugar levels can lead to problems that promote cavities, retard healing, and accelerate gum disease. 95% of people with diabetes have periodontal disease. Unfortunately, many diabetics with oral problems go undiagnosed until conditions become advanced. If you have diabetes, taking care of your teeth is extremely important. Researchers have found that High blood sugar can weaken white blood cells which are the first line fighter to kill bacteria. These are your body’s main way to fight infections that can occur in the mouth! Periodontal disease can make balancing blood sugar levels more difficult. In some cases, periodontal disease increases the severity of diabetes and complicates control of blood sugar levels Treating gum disease may be able to help lower your blood sugar over time. At All Smiles Dentistry, we are committed to helping our patients to control of periodontal infection and long-term diabetes control. 

Periodontal disease (gum disease) affects about 15% of women of childbearing age and up to 40% of pregnant women. The most common clinical periodontal condition in women during pregnancy is gingivitis due to the accumulation of dental plaque. This occurs in 60-75% of women generally between third and eighth months of pregnancy, which reinforces the importance of periodontal preventive and treatment measures during pregnancy. Gingival changes usually occur in association with poor oral hygiene and local irritants, however the hormonal and vascular changes taking place in a pregnant woman often exaggerate the inflammatory response to these local irritants. Gingivitis results from the buildup of plaque, the sticky, harmful bacteria on teeth. Periodontal care should be provided during pregnancy because it is safe and effective in reducing periodontal disease and periodontal pathogens. It is important to maintain routine dental healthcare to prevent gum disease that may become aggravated during pregnancy.