Diabetes can affect your teeth and gums. But if you can control your blood sugar, you can prevent this from happening. You can protect your teeth and gums by brushing at least 2 times a day, flossing daily, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash. See your dentist regularly, which can help prevent pain, infection and other problems. The following article describes what people with diabetes need to know in order to protect their oral health.
Diabetes and gum disease: a two-way street
When you have high blood sugar due to diabetes, the saliva around your teeth and under your gums contains more sugar. This encourages the growth of harmful bacteria and the formation of plaque. Plaque can irritate the gums and cause gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Gum disease can cause gums to bleed, become red and swollen. High blood sugar can exacerbate gum disease.
If you can control your blood sugar, you can reduce your chances of developing oral problems. Studies have shown that patients with good blood sugar control are less likely to develop gum disease than those with poor blood sugar control. Tooth loss due to gum disease is also much less common in these patients.
In addition, studies have shown that gum disease may make blood sugar worse. Prompt treatment of gum disease can help improve blood sugar levels.
You should see your dentist regularly. If you experience any of the following symptoms of gum disease, see your dentist immediately.
- Gums that are red, swollen, sore, or bleed easily;
- Gums that are separated from the teeth;
- Teeth that are sensitive or loose;
- Changes in the way the teeth bite together;
- Improperly fitting dentures;
- Bad breath or bad taste in the mouth.
Diabetes and oral disease
Gum disease is the most common oral disease in people with diabetes. But diabetes also increases the chances of developing other oral diseases. Patients are unable to fight infection, and high blood sugar makes the mouth more susceptible to bacterial growth.
There is a fungal infection called thrush, which is more common in people with diabetes, especially in those who smoke or wear dentures. Thrush causes white or red patches in the mouth that may burn or be painful. Thrush can also cause difficulty swallowing and affect the taste of food.
If any of the symptoms of thrush come out, you should see your doctor or dentist. Antifungal treatment may be needed. Do not smoke, maintain normal blood sugar levels, and if you wear dentures, remove them for daily cleaning.
Diabetes can also make the mouth dry and healing difficult. Dry mouth can cause pain and ulcers and lead to tooth decay and salivary gland infections. If you experience dry mouth, drink plenty of water or chew sugar-free gum, and use a saliva substitute, which is available at most pharmacies.
If you have wound healing problems, it can take longer for your mouth to heal after a dental procedure. Healing problems also increase the chance of infection. It is important for people with diabetes to tell their dentist that they have diabetes.