The Interconnection Between Diabetes and Oral Health


By Esthetique Dental

Millions of people across the world suffer from and are dealing with diabetes. Dental patients with diabetes have a much higher risk of certain dental problems. Here are few things you should know about how being Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic can affect the health of your mouth.

What Diabetes Does to Your Teeth

One of the main symptoms of diabetes that affects your oral health is that it thickens the walls of your blood vessels, making it harder for nutrients to get to all the different cells in your body. Consequently, this also makes it more difficult for your body to detox and remove waste. This is part of the reason as to why men and women with diabetes have a much greater risk of developing gum disease. Gum disease is often the result of excess bacteria in the mouth, so when the body is not able to cleanse or provide a healthy environment for your teeth, it’s a lot easier to develop infections. 

Diabetes can also cause dry mouth. When your body isn’t producing enough saliva, it isn’t able to naturally clean debris off of your teeth after eating as well as a healthy mouth could. Without proper cleaning, bacteria filled plaque might start appearing on your teeth. This will eventually turn into tartar if left untreated, which is much harder to clean off and often more visible than plaque.

Lastly, having a higher blood sugar level can significantly increase your risk for cavities. The bacteria that cause cavities and eventually tooth decay feeds off of and grows from sugar. Without the proper care early on, cases of tooth decay that begin with cavities have the potential to result in tooth loss. 

Tips and Preventative Measures

As always, going to your regular dentist appointments and talking to your dentist is indispensable to your oral health. If you have diabetes and you notice any signs of gum disease such as bleeding gums, contact your dentist in Keller, TX as soon as possible for a consultation. Dry mouth symptoms can be treated with artificial saliva. These products can be purchased at most major retailers, and your dentist can recommend a brand that’s right for you. Finally, always monitor your blood sugar to ensure that it’s at the healthiest level it can be throughout the day.