Accra: Poor oral hygiene and gum disease could contribute to poor blood sugar control and high blood pressure, a dental surgeon has warned, urging Ghanaians to take oral health seriously as part of efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases.
According to Ghana Web, Dr. Emmanuel Baah Abekah, the founder of Aura Family Dental Care, emphasized that severe gum disease could increase blood sugar levels and complicate diabetes management, while uncontrolled diabetes could exacerbate gum inflammation and impair the body's infection-fighting and healing abilities.
In a recent interview with The Ghanaian Times, Dr. Abekah highlighted the strong relationship between periodontal disease, diabetes, and hypertension, describing it as bidirectional, where each condition could worsen the other. 'It means that when somebody has severe gum disease, it can make the sugar rise, and the sugar being difficult to control. And when they have diabetes too, the diabetes can cause inflammation of the gum,' he explained.
Dr. Abekah elaborated that inflammation from gum disease could contribute to insulin resistance, hindering glucose entry into body tissues and raising blood sugar levels. Regarding hypertension, he noted that inflammation associated with gum disease could affect blood vessels, contributing to high blood pressure.
He also mentioned that certain hypertension medications, such as amlodipine, could cause gum enlargement, making the gums more prone to inflammation when plaque was present. Dr. Abekah described how gum disease develops when bacteria accumulate in the mouth to form plaque, which can harden into calculus if not removed, potentially leading to tissue damage, inflammation, bone loss, receding gums, bleeding, and eventual tooth loss.
Dr. Abekah estimated that 'if you pick three patients, one of them at least has gum problems,' attributing this prevalence partly to inadequate dental check-ups and professional cleaning. He urged individuals with swollen, thick, or bleeding gums not to ignore the symptoms but to seek dental examination and blood sugar level checks when necessary.
He also highlighted that treating gum disease could improve blood sugar control, referencing research that showed about a 0.4 percentage-point reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels three months post-periodontal treatment.
Dr. Abekah addressed misconceptions that deter some Ghanaians from seeking dental care, such as the belief that visiting a dentist means inevitable tooth extraction. He clarified that extraction is usually a last resort and stressed that early detection and treatment could preserve natural teeth. He also countered the misconception that dental care is inherently expensive, explaining that delaying treatment could lead to more costly interventions as minor issues could evolve into more severe conditions.