Why diabetics may lose their teeth

Why diabetics may lose their teeth

PEOPLE with high blood sugar due to a poorly controlled diabetes are at two to three times higher risk of developing periodontal disease, according to a study. Periodontal disease is a severe form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss, affecting up to 15 per cent of the population. Indeed, periodontal disease is considered as a complication of diabetes by some experts. Suggested that it may be linked to inflammation. Having diabetes means your body’s immune system is impaired – wounds take longer to heal, for instance, and you are more prone to infections.

ACTION: Brush and floss regularly and visit your dentist for frequent check-ups. It is not yet proven whether treating gum disease can improve diabetes, but it is an area of intense research. It is certainly something people who have diabetes should bear in mind. The theory is that by reducing inflammation in the mouth this leads to better diabetes control.