Can Gum Disease Lead To Diabetes? The Surprising Relationship Explained

22 August 2024

Can Gum Disease Lead To Diabetes? The Surprising Relationship Explained

Every part of our body is connected in some way or another and when one part is experiencing problems, other areas of the body can become affected. It’s well documented that diabetes can impact dental health which, in turn, may cause you to wonder whether the reverse is true and gum disease can trigger the onset of diabetes.

In order to explain, we need to delve deeper into this possible link.

Understanding gum disease and diabetes

Most people will likely suffer from gum disease at some time in their lives. According to the latest government statistics, 1 in 5 people are currently experiencing some form of the problem.

So, what has gum disease got to do with diabetes?  Is there a link between the two?

Gum disease and diabetes are caused by the same things

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a poor diet is one of the leading causes of gum disease.

A  diet rich in carbs and sugar, along with habits like excessive drinking, smoking, and poor overall health, are big contributing factors to gum disease.

So why is this?

Excess sugar fuels plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth which, when not removed, can infect the gums, leading to gum disease. Ignoring early symptoms can escalate the condition into a more severe form known as periodontitis.

Diets rich in processed foods, sugary drinks and unhealthy fats are considerably more likely to trigger type 2 diabetes. Over time, a diet high in sugar can cause weight gain and consistently elevated blood sugar levels that the body can no longer control, resulting in diabetes.

So, can gum disease lead to diabetes?

Essentially, yes! Here’s what we know…

Gum disease and diabetes share what is termed a bidirectional relationship. In simple terms, this means that one condition can influence the presentation of the other and vice versa.

In other words, not only is diabetes a risk factor for periodontitis but gum disease can negatively impact blood sugar levels.

Diabetes is triggered by high blood sugar levels caused by a lack of insulin or reduced insulin effectiveness. People with diabetes, especially when poorly managed, are at higher risk of gum disease. According to one source, it’s estimated that around 22% of all type II diabetics also experience gum disease.

High blood sugar in diabetics is known to be harmful to gums. Damaged blood vessels reduce oxygen and nutrients in the gums, making them prone to infections from plaque bacteria. Poorly controlled diabetes also increases glucose in saliva, which feeds bacteria leading to an increase in plaque buildup.

On the flip side, severe gum disease can worsen blood sugar control in both people with and without diabetes. Inflammation caused by gum disease can spread into the bloodstream, disrupting the body’s immune system and making it harder to manage blood sugar levels.

The first strong evidence supporting a link between gum disease and diabetes came from studies of people in the Gila River Indian community. Researchers found that those with severe gum disease at the start of the study were more likely to have poor blood sugar control (HbA1c > 9.0%) when followed up after at least two years.

This suggests that severe gum disease could be a risk factor that affects the ability to properly manage diabetes.

Additionally, several further studies have shown that the severity of gum disease is linked to the acuteness of other diabetes-related complications, such as eye problems, nerve damage, kidney issues, and heart problems.

The importance of gum disease treatment

If a patient has both diabetes and periodontal disease, effectively managing and treating one condition can lead to improvements in the other. As we said earlier, it’s a two-way relationship. Even in individuals without diabetes, treating periodontal (gum) disease can lead to an improvement in blood glucose levels.

The good news is that there are several treatment options for periodontal (gum) disease which include:

• Deep cleansing by your dentist or hygienist
• Root planing and scaling
• Pocket reduction surgery

It’s also best to quit smoking and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Provided people with diabetes have good control of their blood sugar, periodontal treatment is equally as effective as it is for non-diabetics.

Conclusion

While potentially, gum disease can lead to diabetes, it’s unlikely to occur if you prevent gum disease from accelerating into periodontal disease.

Caring for teeth with a healthy diet and good oral hygiene helps keep glucose levels low while incorporating a low-fat diet also benefits our oral health – it’s a win-win solution.

Do you have gum disease?

Gum disease is nothing to be ashamed of but ignoring the problem doesn’t mean it will go away of its own accord.  Instead, come and talk to our friendly team at Cheadle Hulme Dental. We’ll help you tackle the problem and get your oral health firmly back on track.

Call us on 0161 486 0743 or use our online booking system to schedule an appointment.