22 Feb Diabetes and Dental Health: Navigating the Connection for Holistic Well-Being
An increased risk of dental issues and gum disease is associated with individuals with diabetes who experience unpredictable blood glucose levels. This is due to the fact that they may not heal as quickly and have a decreased defense against infection.
Maintaining your blood glucose levels within the desired range and taking extra care of your oral health and dental hygiene are important if you have diabetes. For guidance on how to maintain the health of your teeth and gums, see your dentist every six to twelve months.
It is estimated that 77 million Indians over the age of 18 have type 2 diabetes, and another 25 million are pre diabetics, meaning they have a higher chance of getting the disease in the near future.
Diabetes and common oral health issues
The following are the most common dental health issues that people with diabetes face:
- Periodontal disease, or gum disease
- Gum abscesses
- Tooth decay
- Fungal infections including candidiasis, or thrush, and lichen planus, an inflammatory, autoimmune skin condition
- Mouth ulcers
- Taste abnormalities
- A burning, dry mouth due to low saliva.
Periodontal (gum) disease and diabetes
An infection that kills the bone encircling and supporting your teeth is the root cause of periodontal disease, often known as gum disease. You can comfortably chew thanks to this bone, which secures your teeth in your jaw. Gum disease is a result of dental plaque, which is a mixture of bacteria and food particles.
Plaque hardens into calculus or tartar if it is left on teeth and gums. The gums around teeth become inflamed, swollen, and bleeding due to the irritation caused by plaque and calculus. Gum disease damages the underlying bone, which eventually disappears, as it worsens. When teeth become loose, they may need to be extracted or fall out on their own.
Individuals with blood glucose levels below ideal levels are more prone to gum disease, which also tends to worsen the condition. This is a result of their often weakened immune systems and slowed healing processes.
Gum disease can be avoided by taking good care of your teeth and managing your blood sugar. People with diabetes who treat their gum disease have better blood glucose readings, and they respond very well to dental treatment when their blood glucose is within the desired range.
Signs and symptoms of a gum disease
If you experience any of the following gum disease symptoms, please visit your dentist right away:
- Red, swollen, sensitive, and bleeding gums
- A chronic gum-related discharge (pus)
- A foul taste or bad breath;
- Loose teeth, which can alter the “feel” of your bite or gums that are loose and peel away from the teeth.
- Spaces opening up between your teeth.
Tooth decay and diabetes
People with diabetes may experience extreme dry mouth and elevated salivary glucose levels. Because of these circumstances, dental plaque can accumulate on teeth, increasing the risk of cavities and tooth decay.
Cleaning your teeth and gums twice a day with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste will help eradicate dental plaque. When brushing the gums where they contact the teeth, use delicate strokes because vigorous brushing can result in partial gum loss. To clean in between your teeth, use dental floss or interdental cleaners on a daily basis. Maintaining your dental health helps to ward off gum disease and cavities.
Oral fungal infections and diabetes
Candidiasis, sometimes known as oral thrush, is a fungal infection. It results from an overabundance of the oral yeast Candida albicans. Oral thrush can result from a number of diabetes-related problems, including elevated salivary glucose levels, decreased immune system function, and dry mouth (poor saliva production). These factors can promote the expansion of these fungus.
Uncomfortable, occasionally ulcerated white or red spots on the lips are a symptom of oral thrush. Oral thrush can be treated with good oral hygiene and blood glucose levels within the therapeutic range. If necessary, your dentist can prescribe antifungal medication to treat this illness.
How to take care your teeth and gums; if you are diabetic
It’s very important to take good care of your teeth and gums if you have diabetes. To maintain your dental health at its best, follow these steps:
- Keep an Eye on Your Blood Sugar: Maintaining your blood glucose levels within target ranges requires that you adhere to your doctor’s dietary and prescription instructions. This promotes dental health in addition to your general well-being.
- Brush Twice a Day: Brush your teeth and gums thoroughly twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. In addition to preventing gum disease and tooth damage, proper brushing helps remove plaque.
- Floss Daily: At least once a day, use dental floss or interdental cleaners to clean the spaces between your teeth. This aids in cleaning plaque and food residue from places that your toothbrush might not be able to reach.
- Frequent Dental Checkups: Get a thorough oral examination from your dentist every six to twelve months. In addition to giving you professional teeth cleaning and advice on at-home care, your dentist will look for any indications of oral health issues. It’s critical to talk to your dentist about how your diabetes treatment may affect your oral health.
- Keep Yourself Hydrated: Throughout the day, sip lots of water to prevent dry mouth. Saliva helps balance acidity in the mouth and wash away food particles. Gum without sugar can also be chewed to increase salivation.
- Avoid Smoking: Smoking raises the risk of oral infections, gum disease, and other oral health issues. If you smoke, get help from your dentist, physician, or organizations such as Quitline to help you stop smoking permanently.
Conclusion
In summary, the link between diabetes and dental health shows how taking care of our teeth is vital, especially if we have diabetes. By following simple steps like brushing and flossing regularly, visiting the dentist, and keeping blood sugar levels in check, we can keep our mouths healthy. This not only helps prevent dental problems but also supports our overall health. So, whether managing diabetes or not, remember: a healthy smile goes hand in hand with a healthy body.
Are you ready to take the next step in your dental health journey? If yes, then you are at the right place! Visit Capture Life Dental Clinic for an extensive dental checkup. You can also avail 10% off if you are a new patient. Visit us today>