Diabetes and Gum Disease — Dr. Michael Krochak D.M.D.

Dec 8

Dec 8 Diabetes and Gum Disease

Symptom-Free Gum Inflammation Can Put Diabetics at Risk

If you have a friend or family member with diabetes, you
probably know that diabetics are more susceptible to
infections of all kinds than people without the disease.
So you probably won’t be surprised to learn they’re
more likely to get gum disease. (Periodontal Disease)

You may even be aware that research show people
whose diabetes is not well controlled are even more
at risk.1 In fact a major study concluded that people
with poorly controlled blood sugar have a risk of gum
disease that’s nearly three times higher than non-diabetics.2

A two-way street

What you may not know is that current research
suggests that the relationship between diabetes and
gum disease is a two way street.3

Research suggests that gum disease makes it
more difficult for many diabetics to achieve good
blood sugar control – putting them at risk for problems
like blindness, wounds that don’t heal, heart and kidney
disease and other devastating complications.4

Facing a hidden threat

That would be a big problem even if gum disease had
lots of obvious symptoms. However that’s often not
the case. In fact, early and even intermediate gum
disease often causes no noticeable symptoms at all.

The only way for diabetics to protect themselves is
to see the dentist often for a careful examination to
determine whether their gums are inflamed or have become
infected. If problems exist, then they can get treatment to rid
themselves of the inflammation.

Let us Help

If someone you love has diabetes, it’s critically
important that you tell them about this hidden
threat so they can take action.

We’re ready to help. We’ll be happy to
perform a gum infection screening that can
catch problems before they get worse. If you’d like to know more about the gum disease-diabetes link – or you’d like to make a screening appointment
for yourself or someone you love, please call the NYC Smile Spa
at (212)838-2900.

We’ll be happy to answer your questions and arrange
for a screening.