Diabetics with a high risk of periodontitis Regular dentist check advised

Diabetes and periodontitis: a dangerous duo

In Germany, around eleven million people suffer from periodontitis. Particularly hard hit are diabetics. Health experts therefore advise these patients to have thorough oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. In addition, it is important to pay attention to the blood sugar control in order to reduce the risk of periodontitis.

Periodontitis can lead to serious illnesses

According to experts, approximately 11 million people in Germany suffer from periodontitis. This chronic inflammation of the periodontium not only damages the teeth, but can also cause life-threatening illnesses according to scientific investigations. So the germs can get into the bloodstream via the inflammatory foci in the gum and in this way, among other things, promote vascular calcification or a heart attack.

People with diabetes are particularly hard hit by periodontitis. Health experts advise diabetics for thorough oral hygiene and regular dental check-up. (Image: kulniz / fotolia.com)

People with diabetes lose more teeth

As the German Diabetes Association (DDG) reports in a recent communication, patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes are particularly hard hit by periodontitis:

They have a threefold risk of developing periodontitis and more teeth, while at the same time deteriorating blood sugar levels due to gum disease.

The DDG therefore advises all diabetic patients for thorough oral hygiene and regular dental check-up. In addition, it is important to pay attention to the blood sugar control to reduce the risk of periodontitis.

Smoking favors periodontitis

According to DDG, periodontal disease is the most common chronic disease worldwide. The main trigger for the inflammation of the periodontium is the bacterial plaque.

This leads to a superficial inflammation of the gums - the gingivitis - which, if left untreated, can spread to periodontitis.

Smoking is considered one of the common causes of periodontal disease.

"Apart from a lack of oral hygiene, smoking, stress and genetic factors are the causes of this chronic inflammation," explains DDG President Professor Dr. med. med. Dirk Müller-Wieland. Another major risk factor is diabetes mellitus.

Disease rarely causes pain

"If the blood sugar level of the diabetic patient is poorly adjusted, the risk of periodontitis increases sharply," emphasizes Müller-Wieland. "Even then, the gum treatment is more complicated, the disease more difficult, a tooth loss more often."

Conversely, a periodontal disease in turn worsens the blood sugar adjustment - with the depth of the periodontal pockets also increases the long-term blood glucose level.

As stated in the communication, research has shown that the mortality of diabetic patients with periodontal disease is higher than that of people with healthy gums. The reason for this are inflammatory processes, which, among other things, have a negative effect on the heart.

The difficult part of the disease: periodontitis rarely causes pain. "It's important, therefore. Be sure to pay attention to the first warning signs such as bleeding gums, swollen gums, bad breath, changes in the position of the teeth or longer, loosened teeth, "explains DDG expert Priv. Dr. Doz. med. Erhard Siegel.

Proper oral hygiene

Prevention can be prevented by proper oral hygiene. Nothing is as good as regular brushing your teeth.

Dentists advise brushing their teeth at least twice a day. Best after breakfast and especially after dinner. According to experts, dental care is much more important in the evening than the next morning.

The optimal cleaning time is usually given as two to five minutes.

Although until recently experts assumed that after a meal with acidic or sugary foods, you should wait half an hour to brush your teeth, as the acid dissolves minerals from the enamel and you make the process even worse by brushing - tooth enamel is wiped off.

But now this recommendation is critically discussed by dentists because the benefits of brushing immediately after eating seem to outweigh the potential disadvantages.

Clean interdental spaces correctly

It should be noted that the toothbrush only catches about 70 percent of the dirt coverings - the rest sits between the teeth. Therefore, you should clean the interdental spaces at least once a day.

Dental floss is best suited for this. However, one must be careful not to hurt the gums. Also suitable as alternatives are toothed wood, toothpicks or interdental brushes.

Mouthwashings also clean interdental spaces. In order to control its own cleanser sequence, one can occasionally use a staining tablet which shows which areas have not become clean.

It depends on the right technology

Experts advise cleaning always in the same order so that a routine is established and no area is forgotten. Often the so-called KAI technique is recommended.

This means that first the chewing surfaces, then the outer surfaces and then the inside of the teeth are cleaned.

It is basically from red (gums) to white (tooth) cleaned. Shaking and brushing is particularly useful, according to dentists.

A video can be found on the website of the German Dental Association that explains in 60 seconds how the KAI system works.

Regular dental examinations

In addition, the DDG advises to have regular dental examinations to rule out any risk.

As the experts explain, the doctor already recognizes early forms of periodontitis with the help of the "Periodontal Screening Index" (PSI) and is able to treat them at the dental screening examination.

"In particular, people with diabetes should go to the dentist at least once a year for control," recommends Siegel.

Refraining from smoking, a balanced diet and the avoidance of obesity and stress can further reduce the risk of periodontitis.

More education and prevention

The German Society for Periodontology (DG Paro) provides a self-test online for an initial assessment of the risk of its own periodontitis.

"Diabetologists, house doctors and dentists should also be increasingly sensitized to this topic," says Müller-Wieland. "In Germany, about two million people do not know that they have diabetes and are therefore at an increased risk for periodontal disease."

All participating specialists are called upon to bring more education and prevention into their practices.

"For example, screening measures such as a diabetes test in dental practices or the inclusion of dental status in the family medical history could ensure better prevention of periodontitis," said Siegel. (Ad)