Does Diabetes Affect Oral Health?
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Written By
Marija Nestorovic
Marija Nestorovic
Marija Nestorovic has been a health and diet enthusiast for as long as she remembers. She's passionate about questioning every new dietary trend that comes up and determining whether it's scientifically proven or just another fad diet. She enjoys spreading her knowledge on the subject and helping people kick-start their weight loss healthily and sustainably.
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Chris Stocker
Chris Stocker
Chris Stocker is a financial services professional and licensed insurance agent. He's also Owner and author of The Life of a Diabetic as well as Type 1 Detour. He's been writing about Diabetes related topics for over 10 years, and has been featured in HealthLine, Diatribe, Diabetes Advocates and JDRF.. He's been writing about Diabetes related topics for over 10 years, and has been featured in HealthLine, Diatribe, Diabetes Advocates and JDRF.
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Last Updated on December 11, 2024
As a diabetes patient, taking care of oral health should be a priority. It is because diabetes affects one’s blood sugar level, and when it’s high, there is the likelihood of contracting dental diseases such as xerostomia, thrush, periodontitis, gingivitis, and cavities. You might also notice a change in taste. If you are unsure how to take care of your oral health when you have diabetes, you can count on Smile Solutions Dentistry to help you out. Here’s what you need to know about the link between oral health and diabetes.
Why a person with diabetes is at a high risk of oral health problems
High blood sugar is the primary cause of oral health problems for people with diabetes. Therefore one needs to regulate their blood sugar to avoid getting problems with their dental health. Poor control will weaken the immune system, and bacterial infections will more likely happen in the mouth. You might have heard that controlling blood sugar levels is essential to prevent body organ complications, and it also applies to oral health. It shows that diabetes affects the whole body, and one must control their blood sugar level to protect themselves from oral problems.
Possible oral conditions
Weakened sense of taste (hypogeusia)
There is no known cause of the condition, but it is common among diabetic people. It might not seem serious, but it is because it might alter your diet. It should be a red flag that your blood sugar level is not well regulated, and you will need to consult your doctor to help you out. It is common for people to ignore the condition, but it should be something to watch out for.
Oral thrush
It is a fungal mouth infection and can also be referred to as oral candidiasis. It results from poor salivary flow, which means that an individual retains more fungi in their mouth hence the condition. The fungi thrive on the high saliva glucose level, leading to the growth of the infection. If you have a weak immune system, you might easily catch a fungal infection.
Dry mouth
You might experience mouth dryness because of low salivary flow from diabetes. The disease can cause salivary gland swelling, leading to sialadenosis. If you have low amounts of saliva in your mouth, it is a risk factor for other conditions such as oral thrush and tooth decay. Without saliva, the teeth are vulnerable to decay, and the interference of the mouth environment means that they are not well protected. Tooth decay exposes the root, which is more vulnerable to decay. If you maintain a high sugar diet, you are at risk of the condition; hence, you need to watch what you eat.
Gum disease
Gum disease affects the teeth’s bones, and gums and is also called periodontal disease. The gums and bones are key supporting features for your teeth, and the disease causes inflammation in the areas, which leads to mobile teeth, bone loss, and gum recession. It is correlated to high blood sugar levels. It can be challenging to control blood glucose levels if you have poor gum health. Therefore with good oral hygiene, you can manage diabetes better.
How can you manage your dental health?
Regularly visit the dentist
It would be best if you were in regular contact with your dentist, and the recommended number of times you should see them is about twice a year. You can improve the number, to about, let’s say, every three months. You should maintain a suitable antibacterial mouth rinse, depending on what your doctor recommends for you. If you notice any abnormalities in your oral health, feel free to consult your dentist. It is important that you take control of your dental care, and it will be easier to manage any conditions early.
Floss daily
If you don’t floss your teeth, you need to know that food particles and plaque will build upon the gum line, a risk factor for gum disease and tooth decay. You should regularly floss your teeth to clean up the particles, and if you do not know how to floss or simply do not like it, you can use an interdental device. It is important that you can access parts that regular toothbrushes do not and take better care of your oral health.
Brush your teeth twice a day
You should have a fluoride paste to brush your teeth twice daily. The recommended guideline is to brush them for two minutes, and you can use a timer. If you remain consistent, you will get used to it, and you won’t need a timer. Your toothbrush should have soft bristles and maintain a conventional design to reach all tooth areas. It does not matter whether it is electric or manual, but the design and how you brush your teeth.
Find a dentist that is well conversant with diabetes
A regular dentist might teach you some of the best teeth practices, but they also need to know about diabetes. If they don’t, they can connect you to a doctor who has proficiency in the field. You can maintain an excellent professional network to help you manage diabetes and have good oral health. You will be safer, as you can work together to check the effects of diabetes and blood sugar levels.
Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking
If you regularly smoke or take alcohol, you should consider quitting. It might be difficult, and you will need to seek the help of your doctor to guide you through the journey. Smoking leaves lasting effects on your teeth; you might lose them, which is also a predisposing factor to gum disease. Also, the two habits will make it difficult for you to manage diabetes, which is bad news considering that you want to lead a higher quality of life. They will lead you to serious diabetes complications, which is not what you need for your overall health.
Final thoughts
Managing your blood glucose levels is key for your oral health. However, you also need to have the best practices at hand on how to take care of your teeth and mouth. For example, you should floss and brush your teeth twice every day. You should monitor any abnormalities in your oral health and report to your dentist, and they can help you sort it out. Having good oral hygiene is important for any person, and you should be keener if you have diabetes.
Marija Nestorovic
Marija Nestorovic has been a health and diet enthusiast for as long as she remembers. She's passionate about questioning every new dietary trend that comes up and determining whether it's scientifically proven or just another fad diet. She enjoys spreading her knowledge on the subject and helping people kick-start their weight loss healthily and sustainably.
