{"id":329,"date":"2024-07-11T22:51:08","date_gmt":"2024-07-11T22:51:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ridgepointedental.com\/blog\/?p=329"},"modified":"2024-08-21T02:28:57","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T02:28:57","slug":"gum-disease-diabetes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ridgepointedental.com\/blog\/2024\/07\/11\/gum-disease-diabetes\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Diabetes Worsen Gum Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Diabetes is a common disease, so if you don\u2019t have it, you likely know someone who does. It affects approximately 29.1 million people in the USA, or about 9.3% of Americans! A lot of people don\u2019t even know that they have it. Diabetes affects your body\u2019s ability to produce sugar, and it can be linked to a variety of issues throughout the body, including gum disease<\/a>. Read on to learn how the conditions are related and how you can work towards better gum and systemic health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Are Gum Disease and Diabetes Related?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

People who already have diabetes are more susceptible to developing gum disease. Poor blood sugar affects your ability to fight off infections, including those that occur in the mouth. If you develop gum disease, it is much more difficult for your body to fight it off. Advanced periodontal disease can cause your blood sugar levels to rise, ultimately making it more challenging to keep your diabetes under control. Both conditions can make the other one more serious over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Prevent Gum Disease if You Have Diabetes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just because you have diabetes doesn\u2019t mean that you are destined to have gum disease. However, it is especially important that you take the necessary steps to prevent it from developing. Here are the key ways to keep gum disease at bay:<\/p>\n\n\n\n