November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. If you live with diabetes in Wisconsin, your mouth can show early signs of change. At Dentistry of West Bend, we look after your oral health with calm, careful attention. You deserve clear answers, gentle treatment, and a plan that supports your whole-body wellness.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease means infection of the gums and the bone that holds your teeth. Early gum disease is called gingivitis. In the early stages, gums can look puffy and bleed when you brush. The most common symptoms of gum disease also include bad breath and tenderness along the gum lines.
When gum infection deepens, it becomes periodontitis. This later stage of gum disease affects soft tissue and bone. You can see loose teeth, bone loss, and gum problems that expose more tooth surface. Left untreated, this most advanced stage of gum disease can lead to tooth loss.
Harmful bacteria under the gums irritate body tissues. Infected areas become hard to clean at home. You may notice persistent bad breath, mouth sores, and signs of gum disease that do not improve. Professional care prevents damaged root surfaces of the teeth and protects long-term dental health.
Why do diabetes and gum disease influence each other?
Diabetes changes the way your body handles blood sugar. Gum infection stresses your body. Together they create a loop that is hard on your mouth and your general health.
High blood sugar affects the mouth in many ways. With higher blood glucose and less saliva, dry mouth becomes common. Oral bacteria find more glucose in the mouth, which can help harmful bacteria grow. Blood vessels can also narrow, which may reduce blood flow and the flow of nutrients. These changes can slow healing in soft tissue and lead to infections of the gums.
Gum disease can also affect your blood sugar control. Ongoing infection of the gums may make blood sugar levels harder to manage. Poor blood sugar control raises the levels of glucose in your saliva. This can make you more likely to get tooth decay, gum infection, and fungal infection. The effects of diabetes and oral infections can also impact your quality of life.
How do high blood sugar levels affect your gums?
High blood sugar can mean more fuel for oral bacteria, dryness in the mouth, and slower healing. These changes increase the risk of gum infection and make symptoms of gum disease more noticeable. Your immune system also works harder to manage infected areas.
Early Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore
Watch for the signs of gum disease. Look for bleeding when tooth brushing, gums that look red or swollen, and persistent bad breath. Dry mouth, mouth sores, and tooth sensitivity can also point to mouth problems. You may notice spaces between teeth, loose teeth, or difficulty chewing.
Tooth decay near the gum lines can appear in the early stages. Gum problems can be painless at first. Regular dental care helps us find small changes early. Early treatment is easier on your mouth and supports better blood sugar control.
The Two-Way Link: What We See in Recent Years
In recent years, research has focused on the two-way link. High blood glucose, insulin resistance, and infections of the gums are connected. People with diabetes mellitus face an increased risk for periodontal disease. People with early gum disease may also face a higher risk of diabetes, especially with other risk factors.
High blood sugar and high blood glucose can change how your immune system responds. The body works to control infection. Inflammation can rise. That makes hemorrhage-prone gums more likely and slows recovery. Together, these changes can influence cardiovascular disease and overall health.
Your Care at Dentistry of West Bend
You receive supportive, step-by-step guidance here. Our preventive dentistry visits include dental hygiene and exams designed to catch early gum disease. We focus on good oral hygiene, gentle cleanings along the gum lines, and clear home instructions for care of your teeth.
If you need focused help, our periodontal disease treatment is tailored to you. We remove harmful bacteria from infected areas and provide deep cleanings when needed. This helps your gums heal and reduces bacteria that affect blood sugar. We also protect damaged root surfaces of the teeth as part of your personalized plan.
Our dental technology helps us assess your gums with accuracy and comfort. We track changes over time and explain what we see in simple terms. When advanced care is needed, we coordinate closely with your physician and, if appropriate, an oral health specialist. Continuity of care matters. If types of surgeries are recommended for the most advanced stage of disease, you remain in trusted hands.
Can better home care break the diabetes and gum disease loop?
Small daily steps make a real difference. Brush twice a day, floss once a day, and use tools we recommend for your smile. Keep your routine visits so we can monitor your gums, adjust home help, and support your goals.
Practical Steps You Can Take Today
- Schedule a dental hygiene visit. Regular exams help find gum infection early.
- Share your medical history. Tell us about diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes, medications, and blood sugar levels.
- Focus on good oral hygiene at home. Tooth brushing and flossing reduce oral bacteria and protect soft tissue.
- Manage your blood sugar with your medical team. Better control supports healthier gums.
- Sip water through the day. This helps with dry mouth and rinses away food and glucose left after meals.
- Ask about fluoride and sealants in the right situations. These tools help lower tooth decay risk.
You can also find helpful information from the American Diabetes Association and the National Institutes of Health. These resources explain main types of diabetes, risk factors, and ways to support blood flow and healing in body tissues.
When to Call Us in West Bend, WI
Call if you notice bleeding gums, swollen areas, or persistent bad breath. Reach out if you see loose teeth, receding gum lines, or sore spots that do not improve. Early visits let us treat gum disease, protect teeth, and support your blood sugar control.
Our team understands the effects of diabetes on dental health. We take time to explain each stage of care. We answer questions and adjust the plan to your needs. We work to prevent higher blood sugar linked to ongoing oral infection and help you avoid tooth loss.
Your Next Step
If you live with diabetes in Wisconsin, you are not alone. With calm guidance, consistent dental care, and the right home habits, you can reduce the higher risk of gum problems. You can also support stable blood sugar. Dentistry of West Bend is here to help you feel comfortable at every visit.
Request an appointment today. Let us check for early signs of trouble, provide personalized periodontal care, and create a plan that protects your smile and your overall health.
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