Blood vessels deliver oxygen and nourishment to body tissues, including the mouth, and carry away the tissues' waste products. Diabetes causes blood vessels to thicken, which slows the flow of nutrients and the removal of harmful wastes. This can weaken the resistance of gum and bone tissue to infection. When diabetes is poorly controlled, high glucose levels in mouth fluids may help germs grow and set the stage for gum disease. The harmful effects of smoking, particularly heart disease and cancer, are well known.
Studies show that smoking also increases the chances of developing gum disease.
In fact, smokers are five times more likely than nonsmokers to have gum disease. For smokers with diabetes, the risk is even greater. If you are a smoker with diabetes, age 45 or older, you are 20 times more likely than a person without these risk factors to get severe gum disease. Some of these germs cause gum disease. The gums can become red and swollen and may bleed during toothbrushing or flossing.