Diabetes Can Increase Your Risk For Gum Disease

Diabetes can increase your risk for gum disease. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth in adults. It’s among the top 10 most common diseases in the world. So, just how does it increase your risk for gum disease?

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease develops when the gums, tissue, and bone supporting your teeth become infected and inflamed. While in the early, gingivitis stage, gum disease is preventable and even reversible. However, as it becomes more severe and advances to the periodontitis stage, it becomes much more difficult to treat.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your blood sugar level is too high. The disease has various types, which can cause serious health problems because of the damage to your nerves, blood vessels, heart, kidneys, eyes, and feet. 

Diabetes Gum Disease Connection

The gums are similarly affected. The high blood sugar reduces blood vessel capacity to bring nutrients and eliminate waste, which makes oral infections more likely. Diabetes increases your risk for gum disease by:

• Weakening white blood cells, which are the body’s main defense against oral infections.

• Causing dry mouth, which deprives you of the cleaning and neutralization of tooth-decaying acids that saliva provides.

• Causing sugar levels in your saliva to increase, which feeds the bacteria and increases the plaque formation.

Whether you have diabetes or not, the practice of maintaining good oral hygiene is essential. This should include brushing twice daily, cleaning your tongue, cleaning between your teeth at least once a day, and making regular dentist visits.

Water Flossing

Support a strong home oral hygiene routine with the addition of water flossing. Using pulsating fine streams of water, plaque and food debris are effectively removed from between teeth and below the gumline. The Aquapick AQ-230 and AQ-350 are two water flossers that come well recommended by the Korean Dental Association. The space-saving countertop AQ-350 uses smart start sensing technology. Its motor starts the moment the flossing handle is lifted, delivering a powerful 0.6 mm stream of water that pulsates 2,400 times per minute. With a 600 ml water tank and 4 simple-to-use water pressure settings, the AQ-350 provides effective oral cleansing.  

The compact, portable AQ-230 provides cleaning convenience on the go. Ergonomically designed for comfort and superior waterflow control, the unit features 360 degree rotating jet tips, and produces a 0.6 mm stream of water that pulsates 1,400 times per minute. It employs wireless, non-contact charging, which is safe to use even when wet.  IPX7 waterproofing in both models prevents leakage and permits them to be fully submerged.  The easy operability of the AQ-350 and AQ-230 allows them to be used by adults and children.