Diabetes is an illness that affects every part of the body including your oral health. Studies show that people who suffer from this illness are more prone to severe dental issues like gum disease cavities and much more. These dental issues also have the potential to make the illness progress possessing other health issues. In this blog post, we will talk about the effects and symptoms of diabetes and what can be done to stop it from getting worse. Maintaining good oral hygiene will help you manage this disability and prevent other health-related issues like heart or kidney problems.
The greatest effect that diabetes has on one’s mouth is changing the production of saliva, which is the fluid that keeps your mouth wet. This fluid is important for the health of your teeth and gums because it prevents tooth decay by eliminating food particles, stopping bacteria from creating and washing away harmful acids caused by bacteria. Saliva production will also help protect the tissues of your mouth and help fight tooth decay due to the minerals that it contains. Additionally, some of the medicines prescribed to people with diabetes will also cause the mouth to produce less saliva and when the levels of it decrease, the risk of dental issues like gingivitis, cavities etc., will be much higher.
Furthermore, having diabetes may result in higher salivary glucose levels and when your blood glucose, or blood sugar, level is very high, you are at high risk of developing further health issues. This glucose has the potential to feed dangerous bacteria into your mouth, which when combined with food, create plaque—a soft, sticky coating that leads to cavities. In addition to building up on your teeth at the gum line and hardening into a hard calcified deposit known as tartar, plaque can also cause gum disease if it is not removed and treated at the right time. If left untreated, these dental issues may also result in tooth loss. Compared to around 16% of individuals without diabetes, over 25% of adults who are diagnosed with diabetes who are 50+ years old suffer from serious tooth loss.
Firstly we will start by explaining what periodontal disease is and then its effect on diabetes. This disease is caused by an infection that affects the bones and its surrounding areas making it difficult for you to eat and chew properly. Once the plaque is hardened and left untreated it will form calculus or tartar which will irritate the gums and teeth making them look red and swollen and even causing them to bleed. Once the disease progresses it will affect the bone underneath and will eventually be lost. If this happens the teeth may need to be removed by a dentist or they may even fall out by themselves.
When it comes to diabetes, gum disease is more prone to occur in people with low glucose levels in their blood. This happens because they are not very resistant to infection and their ability to heal is slower than in other people. To prevent gum disease and its effects on your oral health we recommend you to look after your oral health and to be careful to keep the glucose levels in your blood in control. If you have developed a gum disease you should take matters into your own hands and try to treat it by contacting a dentist. The good news is that once the glucose levels are normalized, the patient will respond very well to the dental treatments and the healing time will not be prolonged.
We would recommend you see the dentist as soon as possible once you notice any of these signs or symptoms in your mouth:
Tooth decay is another common dental health problem in people with diabetes. Because people living with diabetes have a higher level of glucose in their saliva and suffer from dry mouth, their teeth are more prone to develop dental plaque which will further lead to tooth decay and cavities.
In order to prevent tooth decay you should maintain a good dental hygiene routine by cleaning and flossing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. You should keep in mind to be gentle with your brushing because you may damage the gums which will cause you pain. We will also recommend you use interdental cleaners or dental floss daily because taking good care of your gums will prevent cavities, and gum disease and help you maintain a healthy and good-looking smile.
Candidiasis, sometimes known as oral thrush, is a fungal illness. It is brought on by an excessive amount of the oral yeast Candida albicans. Oral thrush can result from several diabetes-related problems, including elevated salivary glucose levels, decreased immune system function, and dry mouth (poor saliva production). These conditions greatly affect the promotion of expansion of this fungus, which will be difficult to treat.
Oral thrush results in painful, occasionally wound-like white or red spots on the surface of the mouth. This infection can be treated with good oral hygiene and by maintaining the blood glucose levels within the right range. If necessary, your dentist can prescribe antifungal medication to treat this illness. If you smoke, wear dentures or use antibiotics you are more prone to developing oral fungus infection. The yeast thrives on the extra sugar in your saliva and especially likes moist spots like areas under loose-fitting dentures so once diagnosed you should take the right steps to treat it.
If you are diagnosed at old age the saliva production levels will decrease especially in women. Once this happens you are at risk of developing Xerostomia also known as dry mouth, as your doctor may refer to it. The enzymes that kill bacteria are produced in saliva, so without it, the microbes will produce more and grow at uncontrollable levels. This will cause blisters, and ulcers and will also lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Burning mouth syndrome can be brought on by thrush or dry mouth or by some drugs, such as those prescribed for high blood pressure. Your lips could tingle or feel numb in addition to feeling like you just burned it with something hot. Unfortunately, you can also lose the ability to taste certain foods due to this syndrome or due to aging. This will not cause further damage to your oral health but be careful to keep the sugar consumption levels low because that will increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.
For people diagnosed with diabetes infections and wounds will take longer to heal. This is also a consequence of getting older. Additionally, you may be more prone to infection and this means that if you have a dental procedure done or something goes wrong with your oral health it will take you longer to get better. Also, dental issues might progress faster in people diagnosed with diabetes which will also be an issue after having dental surgery done.
Some of the most common signs that people with diabetes notice are:
Immediately consult your dentist if you experience any of the symptoms listed above for oral health issues. Your dentist’s expertise will be a very valuable resource for maintaining oral health and resolving minor issues before they get worse. Furthermore, we will explain some of the steps you should take if you have been diagnosed with diabetes:
Increased blood glucose extends the healing process after oral surgery and increases the risk of infection. If you plan to have important dental treatment done, such as oral surgery, let your doctor know. Ask your doctor these questions to help you get ready for the treatment and the postoperative period:
If you are diagnosed with diabetes you should work closely with your dentist to find the right solution so regular dental check-ups are a must. Treating gum disease will help you improve the levels of sugar in your blood and will also slow down the progression of the disease. Regular dental cleanings should not be neglected because they are very helpful in these cases. Make your dental cleanings and checkups a priority and ask your dentist how often you should schedule them. Every step you take to control your diabetes symptoms will greatly benefit your dental health system. Furthermore, we have made a list of what you and your dentist can do together to protect every aspect of your oral health system if you have diabetes:
To minimize the chances of keeping your dental health as optimal as possible you can:
These tips and facts will help you to maintain good dental health if you are diagnosed with diabetes:
