While diabetes affects your body’s ability to process sugar, it can affect your oral health too. it’s important to understand the signs of diabetes and the roles they play in your mouth.
If diabetes is left untreated, it can take a toll on your mouth, here's how:
You might be at higher risk for cavities because you are likely to produce less saliva and saliva actually protects your teeth.
Your gums may become inflamed, more sensitive, and bleed.
You may experience delayed wound healing and be more susceptible to infections inside of your mouth.
Why People with Diabetes Are More Prone to Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting those living with diabetes, affecting nearly 22% of those diagnosed. Especially with increasing age, poor blood sugar control increases the risk for gum problems. As with all infections, serious gum disease may cause blood sugar to rise. This makes diabetes harder to control because you are more susceptible to infections and are less able to fight the bacteria invading the gums.
How Your Dentist Can Help You Fight Diabetes
Regular dental visits are very important. Research suggests that treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar control in patients living with diabetes, which can decrease the progression of the disease. Practicing good oral hygiene and having professional deep cleanings done by your dentist can help to lower your HbA1c. Our dentists and hygienists treat each patient with custom plans and special care.
Your Diabetes Dental Health Action Plan
Teamwork involving self-care and professional care from your dentist will be beneficial in keeping your smile healthy as well as potentially slowing the progression of diabetes. Here are four oral health-related things you can do for optimal wellness:
Control your blood sugar levels.
Use mouthwash for sensitive gums.
If you wear any type of denture or retainer, be sure to clean it after every meal.
Clean your tongue every day with a stainless steel tongue cleaner to manage bacteria growth in your mouth.
Keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine and regular dental visits, if you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to reach out!