Diabetes and Gum Disease

At Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, we’re observing American Diabetes Month by raising awareness of the connection between diabetes and gum disease. People with diabetes are particularly susceptible to periodontitis, and the reverse appears to be true, as well.

Gum disease occurs in two phases: gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontitis or periodontal disease. It occurs when bacteria eat sugar stuck on the teeth and produce acid. People with uncontrolled blood sugar levels produce more food for the bacteria, and people with diabetes generally have a harder time resisting bacterial infections. As a result, diabetes patients are at a higher risk for periodontal disease’s effects, including gum recession and bleeding and disintegration of jaw bone tissue.

People with periodontal disease also tend to develop higher blood sugar levels, making it harder for them to control the symptoms of diabetes. The two can form a vicious circle if they’re not caught quickly. But at our office, patients receive through cleanings, including periodontal maintenance. As long as the patient is diligent with their oral hygiene and keeps their blood sugar under control, they can preserve a healthy, attractive smile.

Farid Hakimzadeh, DDS, operates Fresh Meadows Dental Care at 58-47 Francis Lewis Blvd., Suite 100, Oakland Gardens, New York, 11364. To schedule an appointment, call 718-224-7272 or visit FreshMeadowsDental.com and fill out a contact form.