Oral Health Problems and Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you must be aware that it may harm your eyes, kidneys, heart, cause ulcers, etc. but do you know that diabetes can also increase the risk of problems in your mouth? High blood sugar increases the risk of developing oral health problems like gum diseases, cavities, mouth ulcers, bone infections, bleeding gums, etc. This is because:

• Uncontrolled diabetes weakens your white blood cells, which are the major defense cells of the body against any infection.
• Diabetes leads to an increase in the sugar level in saliva too, causing a suitable environment for the bacterial growth.
•  Blood flow to the mouth is decreased, resulting in many oral problems.
•  Diabetes leads to mouth dryness leading to many dental and oral issues.
• It can have an effect on your teeth, gums, jaw, and surrounding tissues like tongue, roof and the bottom of your mouth, and inside of your cheeks.

Do not panic, but understand how you can avoid dental and oral problems in spite of having diabetes, through some simple tips. We will walk you through how diabetes and oral health are related to each other, the common dental issues which you may be at risk of, and the precautions which you can take to avoid these dental and oral issues to keep a healthy smile on your face.

What are the dental problems associated with Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes and oral health are related, and you may be at a higher risk of:

• Dry Mouth(Xerostomia): Decrease in the flow of saliva occurs as a result of high blood sugar, which may lead to bad breath, soreness, ulcers, decay of tooth, and infections.
• Poor and delayed healing of oral tissues: As the blood flow in the mouth is decreased due to diabetes, healing after oral surgery or any other dental procedure takes more time.
• Gingivitis and periodontitis (Inflammation of gums): In addition to damage of white blood cells, uncontrolled diabetes also causes thickening of blood vessels resulting in slowing down flow of nutrients to and waste products from the oral cavity. Because of all this, the ability to fight infections is lowered, and the risk to develop inflammation of gums including swelling, redness, bleeding gums, and pain increases.
• Infections: It is well known that high sugar means a very suitable environment for the bacteria to grow and cause infections, therefore diabetes makes you prone to many infections.
• Oral Thrush: When you have frequent infections and you often take antibiotics to fight those, you become susceptible to another fungal infection called oral thrush. This causes white and red patches on your tongue and cheeks, which sometimes turn into sores.
• Burning mouth/ tongue: Together thrush and dryness of mouth, may cause a condition called burning mouth syndrome. You may feel a scalding, tingling, numbing sensation and sometimes loss of taste. If you are diabetic and also smoke, you are at an even higher risk of developing this condition.

At Samadhan Clinic, you will get expert consultation and evaluation by a qualified dentist to rectify issues with your oral health and diabetes and find the best treatment solutions and guidance.

What are the precautions which you can take to prevent dental and oral health problems due to diabetes?

• Try to keep your blood sugar level close to normal by following your doctor’s instructions. Let your dentist know about your diabetes status and all medications which you are on. Also, tell them if you had an episode of ‘low blood sugar’ or if you take insulin. This will help you to improve your oral health and diabetes.
• Postpone your non-emergency dental treatments: if your diabetes is not under control, try not to opt for any treatment which is not urgent. Your dentist will guide you on this.
• Brush your teeth twice daily: Brushing properly for at least two minutes twice a day will help you to avoid and improve most dental issues due to diabetes. Learning the proper brushing technique from your dentist is important.
• Floss once a day and use mouthwash: It is essential to avoid plaque and food particles getting collected between your teeth and below the gum line, to save you from dental problems.
• Don’t smoke: If you smoke, please quit.
• Don’t brush immediately after eating: Always wait for 20-30 minutes after eating and before brushing, to protect tooth enamel which may be softened due to acids.
• Get your teeth professionally cleaned: Dental cleaning is helpful along with regular brushing and flossing to maintain oral health even with diabetes.
• Clean your dentures thoroughly and don’t overwear them: Always take off the dentures overnight, so that your oral tissues get rest and time to repair. Clean them with a cleaning solution or tablet every day.
• Visit your dentist regularly: Visiting your dentist every 6 months is a must. They may call you more often depending upon your oral health. Always follow their instructions carefully.
• Use sugarless gums and drink water frequently: This will help to prevent dryness of the mouth.

These tips will facilitate enhancing your oral well-being and prevent the worsening of your oral health due to diabetes.

Immediately see a dentist if:

• If you have bleeding or swollen gums or teeth.
• Your denture is pinching you at some points.
• If the wire of your braces is loose or has come out and is hurting your gums.
• If there is pain while chewing.
• You have an altered taste in your mouth.

FAQ’S

Takeaway

At Samadhan Clinic, you will be assured of the highest quality of dental care and clinical excellence in a comfortable, compassionate, and safe environment. Our dental department is equipped with the latest and most modern state of art equipment and best-of-the-class dental materials. It is led by the most qualified and expert in the field Dr. Rupal Agarwal who possesses vast and varied experience in dealing with different kinds of dental problems with customized treatment plans and outstanding results. We are very particular about maintaining the highest level of hygiene and infection control and therefore have stringent rules for sterilization. Our patients and their health are our priority and so we have kept our cost structures transparent and very reasonable. So, forget about all your worries about your type 2 diabetes and oral health and consult Samadhan dental clinic.