Diabetes and Gum Disease

If you have diabetes and frequently suffer from gingivitis, high blood sugar could be the reason. At the Rancho Cucamonga dental office of Dr. Jia Y. Lee, we see a lot of people who have trouble fighting gum disease, and we want to help them figure out what the problem is. New research has found that oral health and diabetes are closely linked and that the two influence each other.


We know that people with diabetes have higher rates of inflammation, higher rates of gum disease, and higher rates of infection overall. We don’t understand the exact relationship between those things, but we know that inflammation is how the body isolates disease-causing bacteria in the gum pockets. Although it is an important part of the immune system, inflammation is painful and the weakening it causes to cellular membranes can become a problem if it is prolonged. When people have uncontrolled blood sugar, their arteries harden, making it harder for nutrients to be distributed throughout their bodies. There is also evidence that gum pocket bacteria cause a chemical reaction that makes blood sugar more difficult to regulate.


People with diabetes have to pay close attention to their brushing and flossing. But some plaque build-up is inevitable, which is why we encourage everybody to maintain regular dental appointments at which we provide deep cleanings. Improvement in gum health is also linked to an improvement in overall health, so diabetic people with gingivitis have a strong incentive to get dental treatment.


Dr. Jia Y. Lee operates at 9477 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, California, 91730. To schedule an appointment, call 909-989-5598 or visit MyRanchoCucamongaDentist.com.

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