Diabetes Can Ruin Your Smile | Riverside Dentist

Many are aware of serious diabetes-related complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, and limb amputation. But are you aware of the link between diabetes and your oral health?

One quarter of the 26 million Americans with diabetes, and 90 percent of the 79 million adults with pre-diabetes are unaware of their condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We know that your mouth is the window to your health, and we are trained to look closely for signs. For those of you unaware if you may have diabetes, there are certain signs and symptoms can help diagnose the disease.

Periodontal disease, an infection that affects the gum tissue and bone that hold one’s teeth in place and can lead to bad breath, abscesses and tooth loss, may be a first indicator that a person may not have control of his or her blood sugar level. Diabetics have difficulty controlling their periodontal disease, and people with periodontal disease have difficulty controlling their diabetes. If we are able to control the periodontal disease, then their blood sugar levels are also much more in control.”

Diabetes also makes people more prone to other dental problems, including oral infections, thrush and dry mouth. A small amount of plaque on a non-diabetic patient may lead to gingivitis, but on a diabetic patient it may lead to rapid bone loss and the loss of teeth. We recommend regular dental visits to regulate the disease’s impact on your dental and overall health.

For more information about periodontal disease related to diabetes, call Dr. Middleton in Riverside, CA at (951) 470-3379 or visit www.gmdental.com.

Dr. Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside, Corona, San Bernardino, Redlands, Moreno Valley, Lake Elsinore and all surrounding areas.

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