Just doing this three times a day can control blood sugar and protect heart and brain health

Having gum disease increases the risk of diabetes. A research team from the University of Birmingham in the UK tracked 63,379 people with gum disease over 3 to 4 years and found that their risk of developing diabetes was 26% higher. This is because bacteria that cause gum disease also cause inflammation in blood vessels. As a result, blood vessel function deteriorates and glucose metabolism is affected, and bacteria can travel through the blood vessels to the pancreas, damaging insulin-secreting cells.

People who already have diabetes should also be careful to prevent gum disease. Domestic research shows that diabetic patients with poor oral health have a 17% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This result was obtained from an 11-year follow-up study of 17,009 diabetic patients who had no history of myocardial infarction or stroke. Additionally, it was found that the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases is higher in cases where multiple teeth are missing or there are many cavities.

To prevent diabetes, people with diabetes should be careful to avoid gum disease in order to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. A study conducted at Ewha Seoul Hospital found that people who brush their teeth only once a day have a 14% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those who brush three times a day. It is essential to brush your teeth after meals to eliminate bacteria in the mouth. Blood sugar control is also important, as persistent high blood sugar levels can worsen oral inflammation.

If gum disease has already developed, it is advisable to inform your primary care physician about your diabetes before dental treatment. This is because many people take anticoagulants that affect blood clotting in addition to diabetes medication.