How does diabetes affect the gums and mouth?
- Bacterial infections
- Narrowing of the blood vessels to the mouth
- Damage to the nerves of the mouth
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
- Red, sore, and swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Gums pulling away from the teeth so the teeth look long
- Loose or sensitive teeth
- Bad breath
- A bite that feels different
- Dentures that do not fit well
How to treat periodontal disease (periodontitis)?
Non-surgical treatment
- Scaling—removes tartar and bacteria from underneath the gums
- Root Planing—smoothes down the surfaces of the teeth’s roots where germs gather
- Antibiotics—the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating periodontitis is still in debate, but may help treat this disease.
Surgical treatment
- Flap surgery—a small amount of the gum is removed to make planing and scaling easier
- Soft tissue grafts—damaged tissue along the gum line is replaced with tissue from the palate
- Bone grafts—this procedure helps to hold the tooth in place by regenerating lost bone and tissue
How to keep teeth and gums healthy?
- Keep blood sugar as close to normal as possible.
- Use dental floss at least once a day. Flossing helps prevent the buildup of plaque on the teeth. Plaque can harden and grow under the gums and cause problems. Using a sawing motion, gently bring the floss between the teeth, scraping from bottom to top several times.
- Brush the teeth after each meal and snack. Use a soft toothbrush. Turn the bristles against the gum line and brush gently. Use small, circular motions. Brush the front, back, and top of each tooth.
- Keep dentures clean.
- Ask the person who cleans your teeth to show you the best way to brush and floss the teeth and gums.
- Call the dentist right away if there are any problems with your teeth and gums.
- Have your teeth and gums cleaned and checked by the dentist twice a year.
- Be sure the dentist knows that you have diabetes.
- Quit smoking if you smoke.
Follow the American Dental Association’s recommendations:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 or 4 months
- Floss at least once a day
- Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleaning
- Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks
People with diabetes should have dental checkups at least every six months, or more often if their dentist recommends it.
Copyright © 2003-2020 Chinese Community Health Resource Center
If you would like a copy of this health article, please click on the PDF button in the language you prefer. To view the PDF document, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat, which you can download here.
Bilingual:
