Patients with diabetics are more likely to lose their teeth than those without the disease.
Why?
Because diabetics are more likely to have periodontitis, which is a gum disease that deteriorates the bone and tissue around teeth. In some instances, the condition can be so bad that people lose their teeth to the decay.
While traditionally medical professionals have recommended maintaining good oral hygiene as a preventative measure, researchers say there is more to it than that.
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Unmanaged Diabetes Affects Mouth Bacteria
A recent study out of the University of Pennsylvania showed that diabetes directly impacts the bacteria in the mouth. When glucose levels go unchecked, microbes are more capable of also going unchecked. When microbes are left to roam free in the mouth, inflammation sets it.
When inflammation sets in, gums and bone are lost.
How did they discover this link between diabetes and the microbes?
In the study, researchers transferred microbes from the mouths of diabetic mice to the mouths of nondiabetic mice. They found that when the transfer was made, the otherwise healthy mice then developed the markers for gum disease.
Just like the diabetic mice.
Control Inflammation to Control Gum Disease
In order to abate the disease, researchers then injected an antibody into the infected mice. As they suspected, the disease and inflammation receded, leaving the mice with healthy mouths.
While antibody injections aren’t necessarily possible for humans, this does shed light on the role of inflammation control in gum disease.
So what can you do to reduce inflammation in the mouth and protect yourself from gum disease?
Maintain excellent oral hygiene by brush and flossing regularly. Drink plenty of water and keep your blood sugar levels under control. Get regular check ups with your dentist and be open about your concerns with your doctor.
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[expand title=”References“]
The Inquirer Philly. URL Link. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
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