receeding gums

Hi just wandering he anyone else has suffered complication with gums from diabetes? And do you know if we can get help with this from specialist as my dentist sent me away advising me to buy corsodyl mouthwash don't think its helping

Hi Kittycat,

My gums seem to be receding but it's been a problem for years so it's happening very slowly -- I didn't realise it could be diabetes related til I saw your message and I've just looked it up on www.diabetes.co.uk
My dentists have always said use a soft/sensitive brush and gently stroke downwards from gum to the biting edge. One once said to "scrub" or brush ulcers hard - this led to me losing a lot of gum over one tooth when I did it.
I hope other people reply - or have you tried phoning Diabetes UK - here's a link to their dental advice http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Introduction-to-diabetes/Other_associated_conditions/Dental-health/
It might be worth asking your GP or Consultant for advice...
Sorry none of this is conclusive - I'm sharing!

I only have one that is, i have an appointment on
27th so i will ask there and let you know on here what they say :-)

I have had poor dental problems for a couple of years now. It's not like my hygiene has been bad; it's just I seem to get loads of problems. My current problem is hell on earth. I had an extraction in May and I've been back to the dentist about 15 times since; just constant agony and the dentists can't sort it. I think it's to do with my diabetes. My GP is involved now.

It's that bad I'm on tramadol and it still isn't totally sorting it!

Hi kittycat
I am a recent dafne graduate but also a dentist. Diabetes does have an effect on the health of your gums. The problem is down to our susceptibility to infections. We also experience complications with damage to our capacity to heal. These factors make us more susceptible to a condition known as Periodontal(Gum) disease. The tissues affected are the gums and the underlying bone. As the name suggests the condition is an infection and involving the bacterial invasion of the afore mentioned gums. This is why your dentist suggested corsodyl mouthwash as it is an antibacterial mouthwash that will reduce the bacteria present.
We cannot really do anymore to reduce our susceptibility to gum disease other than improve our blood glucose control through the dafne programme.
The only other steps to take are those open to non-diabetics which is collectively known as oral hygiene. The best person to advise on this is your dentist/ dental hygienist/ dental therapist. There are specialist Periodontists but they are usually private.

All that being said the problem of gum recession is usually down to over brushing. The best way to improve against that would be to try an electric toothbrush as it cleans well enough without scrubbing the gum away.

It is hard to be precise about anything without clinical examination but I hope the information has been helpful.

There should be plenty advice at your dentist just don't be afraid to ask.

Good luck