Something that many people with diabetes may overlook, which is the need to take extra care of oral and dental health. Because periodontitis, if it occurs, has a very negative effect, and makes controlling the level of sugar in the body more difficult.
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, which falls on November 14 every year, dental specialists warned that people with diabetes are three times more likely to develop periodontitis and lose teeth. Therefore, they should take more care of their teeth and oral health, and visit the dentist periodically to ensure dental health.
Periodontitis is a chronic disease that affects the tissue surrounding the tooth and can have effects on the entire human body. When you have diabetes, the problem is twofold: a diabetic patient has a high risk of developing periodontitis. On the other hand, periodontitis negatively affects the course of diabetes, which makes it very difficult to control, as the "Heal Praxis" medical website states.
Taking care of oral hygiene is important, because "periodontitis often develops slowly over years", explains Professor of Dentistry Christoph Pettens. If an infection occurs undetected or treated, periodontal pockets will develop, in which bacteria multiply.
Effects on the course of diabetes
"The bacteria not only attack the tissue and jawbone, but the teeth also begin to erode, and the patient loses his teeth," explains Professor Bennets. This inflammation then affects the entire body. Because periodontitis enhances the resistance of cells to insulin in the cells, this affects the level of sugar in the blood.
Therefore, people with diabetes should have regular dental and periodontal examinations at the doctor. Oral health should also be given special care, to prevent periodontitis.
Periodontitis is a relatively common disease in Germany. More than half of the German population, aged 35 to 44, has this disease, according to the Oral Health Study No. 5. And the percentage increases to 65 percent for those aged 65 to 74. As of the age of 75, the percentage of infected people is 90 percent.
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