There is no doubt that people with diabetes have heard the following advice for a lifetime of oral health: brush, floss, and visit your dentist regularly.
“These are things we should all be doing,” said Dr. Robert A. Gabbay, chief medical officer of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. “But oral health is even more important for people with diabetes, who are at significantly higher risk of developing oral problems than the normal population.”
Why?
Why? Gabbay said the risk of oral disease, including gum disease, is higher when having diabetes. gabbay said that if blood glucose is poorly controlled, “it’s easier to develop oral-related infections” “and oral infections can make the risk of poor blood glucose control higher. ”
Diabetes can also lead to a dry mouth because of reduced saliva, which can make you more susceptible to tooth decay. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), high blood sugar increases the risk of thrush, a fungal infection that is often extremely uncomfortable and causes white or red patches in the mouth.
What are the warning signs and symptoms that require immediate medical attention?
Gabbay said when there is tooth pain, bleeding when brushing, gums detaching from the teeth, or dentures becoming ill-fitting. “Of course you should also seek medical attention when there is an infection, including pain, redness, swelling, bleeding or pus when the gums are touched. Even persistent bad breath can be a sign of poor oral hygiene and should be attended to.”
Some patients may not show any warning signs of gum disease, so it’s important to visit your dentist for 2 exams a year.
Questions to ask your doctor
- How does diabetes affect my teeth and gums?
- How does diabetes affect my teeth and gums?
- What oral symptoms should I look for?
- How can I combat dry mouth?
- How can medications cause dry mouth?
- Does medication cause dry mouth?
- How often should I have a dental exam?
- How often should I have a dental exam?
- How often should I have a dental exam?
What needs to be done?
- Practice good habits to keep your mouth healthy. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and if you wear dentures, remove and clean them promptly.
- If you smoke, quit now. Smoking increases the risk of gum disease and makes treatment more difficult. Ask your dentist or doctor if you should use a mouthwash.
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How can I avoid oral problems?
Control your blood sugar. “There are 4 key things to keep in mind as we think about how to better control our blood sugar,” Gabbay said. “Diet, including eating appropriate foods and proper portion sizes; exercise; medication; and monitoring [regular blood sugar measurements] to determine if control of blood sugar is working.”
Why do people with diabetes need to be especially concerned about brushing their teeth?Gabbay said there appears to be a link between gum disease and heart and blood vessel disease. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, although a clear cause-and-effect relationship has not been established, a recent study found that stroke patients had a higher risk of developing oral infections than controls.
Diabetes is another reason to take care of your teeth.