How Diabetes affects your oral Health and what you can do about it?
If you have diabetes, you may be at risk of developing serious oral health problems. Diabetic individuals are more likely to experience gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental problems than those without diabetes.
The connection between diabetes and oral health issues is high blood sugar. If you have diabetes and you do not control it with medications or diet then oral health problems are far more likely to develop. The reason for this is because diabetes weakens white blood cells, these are the body’s main resistance against bacterial infections that could occur in the mouth.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent these issues and keep your smile healthy. Here’s what you need to know about diabetes, how it affects your oral health and what you can do about it.
Oral health problems associated with diabetes:
It’s no secret that managing diabetes can be a difficult feat. What many people don’t realise is that diabetes has a significant impact on oral health. Diabetes can cause a number of problems in the mouth such as:
Dry mouth: unmanaged diabetes can reduce saliva flow, causing dry mouth. As a result further issues may arise such as tooth decay, infections and ulcers.
Burning mouth and/or tongue: This condition is caused by the presence of thrush. People with diabetes who smoke are at an even higher risk — up to 20 times more likely than non-smokers to develop thrush and periodontal disease. Smoking also seems to impair blood flow to the gums, which might affect wound healing in this tissue area.
Thrush: those with diabetes, who frequently take antibiotics to fight infections are prone to developing a fungal infection of the mouth and tongue. The fungus flourishes on the high glucose levels in the saliva. If you experience a burning sensation in your mouth and tongue this could signal that you have thrush.
Periodontitis (gum disease): another complication of diabetes is that is causes blood vessels to thicken. This slows down the flow of nutrients to body tissue, including the mouth. This weakens the body and it loses its ability to fight infections. As periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, people with unmanaged diabetes might be more prone to frequently experiencing gum disease.
Decreased healing of oral tissues: those with unmanaged diabetes do not heal as quickly after oral surgery or other dental procedures as others because blood flow to the treatment site may be severely decreased.
Preventative measures:
Since people with diabetes are more prone to conditions that might harm their oral health, it’s important to follow good oral hygiene practices, pay attention to any changes in your oral health, and call us immediately if such changes occur. These are our suggestions to prevent or reduce oral health problems:
It’s vital that you keep your blood sugar regulated. When you visit your dentist, inform them of your diabetes status. Know your glycosylated hemoglobin (HgA1C) level before your appointment. If you’ve experienced a low blood pressure episode in the past then you are at risk to have another one. Provide your dentist with information as to when your last episode was, how frequently these occur, and when you had your last dose of insulin (if you take insulin).
Before scheduling your appointment for periodontal disease treatment, see your doctor. It is important that you request your doctor to speak to your dentist about your overall health. If you need to have oral surgery, your doctor or dentist will inform you if pre-surgical antibiotics are necessary or whether you need to change your meal schedule and the timing of the dosage of insulin (if you take insulin).
When making an appointment with your dentist, it is important that you bring a list of all the names and dosages of all medications that you’re on. The reason for this is so that your dentist can prescribe you medications that won’t interfere with your current medications. If you are being treated for a major infection, then your insulin dose (for those taking insulin) might need to be adjusted accordingly.
We recommend postponing non-emergency dental procedures if your blood sugar is not stable. However, acute infections, such as abscesses, should be treated as soon as possible. Healing may take longer in people with diabetes therefore, it is paramount that you follow your dentist’s post-treatment instructions properly.
Other oral hygiene tips for people with diabetes:
Make sure you get your teeth and gums cleaned at least twice a year and determine how often you need checkups by consulting with your dentist.
If you’re a smoker, consult with your doctor on how to quit.
Make sure to use a soft bristled toothbrush and try to brush your teeth after every meal.
If you have dentures, remove and clean them daily.
Floss at least once a day to prevent plaque from building up own your teeth.
Final Words
Although people with diabetes may be at a higher risk of developing oral health issues, the good news is that by practicing good oral hygiene habits — brushing at least twice daily (or after every meal), flossing daily, and keeping blood sugar levels under control — the potential for infection from periodontal disease will be greatly reduced or eliminated, and so will the risk of tooth loss. At De Necker Dentistry we are passionate about providing you with the best dental care and you need not fret if you have diabetes, we will make sure you get the best treatment possible.
