Why worry about gum disease?

Studies have shown that people with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease (gum disease). There are no exact explanations to date and more research is ongoing to determine the causes. At Verve Dental - Dentist Bentleigh we stay up to date with the latest research which has shown important factors :

1. The immune system being compromised in people with diabetes

2. Excess body fat in obese people with diabetes produce more chemicals that can make the gums more likely to become inflamed

3. Damage to delicate blood vessels in the gums may reduce the blood supply to the gums, thereby limiting the action of defence cells

4. Wound healing is impaired in diabetics and healing in the gums is also reduced (from the diabetes research wellness foundation) http://www.diabeteswellness.net/Portals/0/files/DRWFUSteeth.pdf

Another interesting fact is that poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients are more likely to develop periodontal disease than well-controlled diabetics.

Research has emerged suggesting that the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes works both ways - periodontal disease may make it more difficult for people who have diabetes to control their blood sugar.

Severe periodontal disease can make it more difficult to control blood sugar levels and may contribute to increased periods of time when the body functions with a high blood sugar. This puts diabetics at an increased risk for diabetic complications. Thus, it is vital that diabetics who have periodontal disease should be treated to eliminate the periodontal infection.

At Verve Dental in Bentleigh East our dentist and hygienist are especially careful to recognise the signs and symptoms of gum disease.

At Verve Dental - Dentist Bentleigh we will help you recognise if you have gum disease

1. Gingivitis develops when the teeth are not brushed and plaque builds up on the teeth. The plaque causes the gums to become inflamed and as a result may bleed when you brush your teeth. Gingivitis is reversible with good oral hygiene.

2. Periodontal disease- also known as gum disease is the later stage of gingivitis where the gums start to detach from the tooth. This creates a space (or a pocket) between the tooth and the gum. This pocket can be measure by your dentist or dental hygienist and provides an indication of the severity of the gum disease. The process is usually painless and progresses gradually, however left untreated so much bone can be destroyed that the tooth starts to become mobile or loose and gums begin to recede.

Verve Dental - Dentist Bentleigh

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