West:
West:
Almost 30 million people are dealing with diabetes every single day, according to the American Dental Association. Diabetes can make you at high risk for cavities, dry mouth, inflamed gums or gum disease, and more. Similarly, in a study conducted by The American College of Cardiology, a high percentage of people with gum disease also suffer from high blood pressure.
Both studies support the idea that your oral health is more than just the state of your mouth, teeth, and gums. Your health is connected to so many factors, and having a healthy mouth and gums means more than just a great smile. It means a lower risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.
Diabetes (types 1 and 2) affects the way your body processes sugar, and because of this, diabetes affects your entire body. In the body, the pancreas produces insulin and insulin allows the body to use and store the sugar consumed throughout the day. With diabetes, the pancreas is producing either too much, or too little insulin, causing sugar levels to become very uneven and skyrocket to higher levels. When your sugar levels are high, there’s more bacteria and risk of decay inside your mouth.
Sugar levels have a direct link to your oral health. When your sugar levels are too high, you’re at greater risk of:
Although there is no cure for diabetes, there are many steps you can take to even out your sugar levels and reduce your risk for oral health problems. A healthier diet, as well as medications can help reduce your high blood sugar levels. Avoid smoking, see your dentist often, and brush daily!
For more information about prevention, please see: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/diabetes
According to MedicalXpress.com, people who are suffering from high blood pressure and gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) have a harder time treating their symptoms and lowering their blood pressure. Simply put, healthy gums often mean lower blood pressure. So, when your oral health is at risk, so is your blood pressure.
Related: Gum Disease Explained: Signs, Symptoms and Treatments
Dr. Sally Cram spoke with Healthline.com and spoke about why she links there’s a link between periodontal disease and high blood pressure. She said,
“Your head is connected to the rest of your body so whatever is going on in your mouth is going all through your body and your bloodstream. If you’ve got an infection in your mouth, that’s going all through your body and can affect all of your organ systems. I think it’s a fair statement to say whatever is going on in the mouth doesn’t stay in the mouth.”
Related: Gum Disease Makes it Harder to Treat High Blood Pressure
To schedule your visit to Adams Dental Group, please give us a call at either of our locations. We’d love to speak with you about your oral health and answer any questions!
Local dentist, Travis A. Roberts and his experienced, friendly team at Adams Dental Group offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Kansas City, KS area. We have two locations that are conveniently located and offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Adams Dental Group, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal treatment, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at our West location (913) 296-8030 or our East location (913) 621-3113 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Travis A. Roberts, DDS September 10th, 2019
Posted In: Periodontal | Gum Disease
Tags: gum disease, periodontal disease
