Oral Health and Diabetes

Diabetes: a lot of experts are saying it has reached epidemic proportions. Although US diabetes statistics get the most attention, it’s a problem the world over. What’s more, nearly half of people with diabetes don’t realize that they have it. Diabetes has a lot of health implications, and oral health is one of the factors thy need to keep a close eye on.

For those who have untreated diabetes, the oral symptoms of diabetes might be among the first things they notice. Thy also have implications for your continued oral health and general health.

Oral Symptoms of Diabetes

When looking at the oral symptoms of diabetes, its important to remember that a symptom could be related to several causes, only one of which is diabetes. Nevertheless, it may be worth consulting your doctor and seeing your dentist more often if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Dry mouth: There are several possible causes of dry mouth, and diabetes is among them. Your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. Saliva isn’t just there to help you with eating. It also helps to protect your teeth against decay.
• You are getting cavities more frequently: This is really a consequence of dry mouth. If you are getting more cavities than you did before and are still following a good oral hygiene routine, consider having yourself tested for diabetes.
• You have gingivitis: Gingivitis is a gum infection. You’ll notice it because your gums tend to bleed easily and appear red and inflamed. Scientists have found that poorly managed diabetes seems to aggravate gingivitis – and diabetes might also be aggravated by gum disease. See your dentist for treatment to break the cycle.
• You tend to get other oral infections: Gingivitis isn’t the only oral infection that is more frequent in people with diabetes.
• Your child’s teeth erupt earlier: The teeth of kids with diabetes tend to erupt earlier than those of their peers.

Don’t Leave Diabetes – or Gum Disease Untreated

When the bacteria that live in your mouth infect your gums, you have gum disease. Gingivitis is a relatively mild form of gum disease. But if it is left untreated, it can develop into the much more serious periodontitis. This can literally destroy your gums, cause you to lose teeth, and can even affect your jawbone.

If you already know that you have diabetes, you should go for more regular dental checks than regular people. Diabetes will make you more susceptible to gum disease. And gum disease also seems to make it harder to control your blood sugar levels, increasing the risks associated with diabetes.

Using Good Oral Health Habits to Fight Diabetes

Since gum disease affects 22 percent of diabetes patients, it’s a good idea to see a dentist as soon as you realize that you have diabetes. If you don’t yet have gum disease, prevention is better than cure. Apart from practicing good oral hygiene habits, you should have your teeth checked and professionally cleaned more often.

Diabetics are more prone to cavities and they’re more vulnerable to the harmful effects of oral infections. Your oral healthcare program forms an important part of your diabetes management strategy. Make your dentist part of your healthcare team as soon as you’re aware that you’re a diabetes sufferer.