Diabetes type 2: The three main indicators of high blood sugars found in your mouth
Type 2 diabetes is an impairment in the way the body regulates and uses sugar (glucose) as a fuel. The condition can be long-term (chronic) and is a result of having too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream. Eventually, high blood sugar levels can lead to disorders of the circulatory, nervous and immune systems. The mouth holds many clues as to a person’s overall health including their blood sugar levels.
Gum disease can be a complication of type 2 diabetes.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, it can also make the condition more difficult to control.
This is because the body’s response to infection is to release more glucose into the bloodstream.
A person’s saliva already contains glucose so when there is an added increase the more there is to feed the bacteria.
Combine this with food in the mouth and plaque is formed causing gum disease.
