One of the best clues to understanding your health when you have diabetes is to look at yourself in the mirror every morning. Diabetes can affect your teeth, gums, and oral health in many ways.
“If left untreated, diabetes can really take a toll on the mouth.” said Dr. Alice Boghosian, a spokeswoman for the American Dental Association.
A toothbrush may not be the first thing to consider when thinking about treating diabetes, but there is a real connection.
What happens if you don’t take care of your teeth?
“Diabetes can cause a lot of problems,” Boghosian said. “First, diabetes increases the risk of oral infections.”
Patients have less saliva flow, leading to more sugar in the fluid between the teeth, which can lead to infections and cause pain in the mouth. White or red patches appear on the gums, tongue, or the inside of the cheeks. Dark spots or cavities may also be found on the teeth.
Diabetes can also make patients more susceptible to fungal infections, such as thrush. Thrush can leave white patches in the mouth that then turn into ulcers.
“Some studies have shown that preventing gum disease helps control blood sugar,” Boghosian said.
What’s the state of your gums?
“The most common symptoms of diabetes are swollen and bleeding gums.” Boghosian says. One in five people with diabetes has gum disease.
If left untreated, gum disease can make blood sugar higher, which makes it harder to manage. “Because diabetes makes patients more susceptible to infection, the ability to fight off invading bacteria decreases, which is a vicious cycle,” Boghosian said.
The reverse is also true. If blood sugar gets out of control because of an oral infection, then treating that infection will lower blood sugar.
Does diabetes affect your teeth?
“Yes,” Boghosian said. “High blood sugar symptoms or some medications can make saliva less available, making patients feel dry-mouthed. And when there isn’t enough saliva to clean and rinse the teeth, the risk of developing cavities is higher.”
Diabetes can also cause wounds to take longer to heal, including oral surgery or tooth extractions.
Can a dentist tell if diabetes is under control?
It’s possible. Your dentist can tell what is going on in your mouth, and although he or she will not test your blood sugar or check for diabetes, he or she will notice if your gums are bleeding or not the right color.
“I’m not a diabetes specialist, and I can’t diagnose diabetes. But I can tell if there’s something going on beyond the health of the teeth,” Boghosian said.
What can patients do?
First, manage your diabetes.
“Control blood sugar levels, make healthy eating choices, and stay active,” Boghosian said. “If you’re healthy, you’ll be able to fight oral and fungal infections and be able to increase the amount of saliva in your mouth.”
Second is quitting smoking. Among many other risk factors, cigarettes and cigars can lead to conditions such as dry mouth, gum disease and tooth decay.
If you wear full or partial dentures, you need to clean them thoroughly every day to reduce bacteria.
“Of course, make it a point to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush,” Boghosian said. You can also use an antibacterial mouthwash. And avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol, which can cause dry mouth, which can lead to tooth decay. In addition, you should “floss your teeth properly every day and see your dentist regularly for checkups.”