Since November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, this seems like a good time to remind our patients of the relationship between diabetes and gum disease. We understand that people face different oral health challenges, and at the Miami Beach dental offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk, we strive to treat people struggling with gum disease with respect. If a patient frequently struggles with gingival bleeding, uncontrolled blood sugar could be the culprit.
Inflammation is the body’s attempt to isolate diseased tissues. Inflamed gums are often caused by infections in the gum pockets. If the infections become bad enough, the structures holding teeth in place will erode, leaving them vulnerable to falling out. People with diabetes have higher than average rates of periodontal disease. One of the effects of high blood sugar is decreased effectiveness of the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to defeat gum pocket infections. But the effect also goes in the other direction; infections make it more difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar, putting the patient at greater risk for other diabetes complications.
People with diabetes need to be especially vigilant about their oral hygiene to prevent gum pocket infections from developing. But even people who brush and floss regularly need to maintain regular oral hygiene appointments so that we can clean away calculus. There is also good news for diabetic patients. When people receive treatment for gum inflammation, their other diabetes symptoms show improvement.
Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.
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