November Marks National Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes is a chronic disease that increases the risk for many serious health problems, including severe gum disease. November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and it’s a great time for us at Perry Dental to remind our patients that the way you care for your teeth at home doesn’t just affect your oral health; keeping your mouth healthy is vital to your overall health, too.

Diabetes is the result of a deficiency of the hormone insulin. Insulin is required to transport glucose (blood sugar) to the cells throughout the body. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 35 to 60 percent chance of developing diabetes in the ten to 20 years following their pregnancy.

In the past decade, researchers have found links between gum disease and diabetes. Not only are people with diabetes more vulnerable to gum disease, but gum disease may also have the potential to contribute to the advancement of diabetes.

According to the ADA, in 2019 just over 37 million Americans had diabetes, with an additional 96 million in the pre-diabetes stage. With those staggering statistics, there is some good news. You can protect your gums and teeth from the effects of diabetes by visiting our Perry office for an exam. Patients who are living with diabetes may require visits more often to ensure their dental health remains in tip-top shape. Many insurance plans provide expanded benefits for diabetic patients, and Drs. Mackley, Esplin, and Spackman can tell you how often you need to come in for an appointment.

For more information on how we can help, please do not hesitate to give us a call at our Perry office.