Diabetes and Periodontal Disease
If you are diabetic, you know the importance of keeping your disease under control but do you know that periodontal disease, like any infection, can make it more difficult for you to stabilize your diabetes? The two diseases play off each other. If your diabetes is not under control you are at greater risk for periodontal disease and on the other hand, if you have active periodontal disease it is more difficult to control your diabetes.

In addition to an increased risk for periodontal disease, diabetics, especially uncontrolled diabetics, may experience one or more of the following:

  • Delayed healing
  • Decreased flow of saliva (dry mouth)
  • Burning sensation in mouth or tongue
  • Increased chance of tooth decay

When you visit the physician that helps you manage your diabetes it is very important to inform him or her that you have another chronic problem-periodontal disease. It is important to remember, if your diabetes is well-controlled, your periodontal treatment will be similar to non diabetic patients. You may wish to schedule your appointment early in the morning, after you have eaten a normal breakfast, in order to stabilize and prevent a severe or sudden drop in your blood sugar levels.