by Marial Teresa L. Ungson
Diabetes has hit almost every family! This hereditary and lifestyle disease can hit any family or anyone. Thus, it would be best to live a healthy lifestyle to avoid it or delay its onset. Also, diabetes puts you at risk for certain medical conditions, including problems with your eyes, feet, kidneys, and heart. But having diabetes can also affect your teeth and gums. It can put you at higher risk for gum disease, tooth decay, dry mouth, and fungal infections of the mouth. That’s why it’s especially important to take good care of your teeth and gums.
When you have high blood sugar from diabetes, your saliva and the fluid around your teeth and under the gums contains more sugars. Poorly controlled blood sugars can cause gum disease or periodontal disease by contributing to a buildup of plaque around your gums.
Plaque causes irritation and infection around the gums that can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and eventually tooth loss. Gum disease causes the gums to bleed, look red, and be swollen. As gum disease gets worse, the gums pull away from the teeth and pockets of pus may form between the teeth and gums. In severe cases, there can be tooth loss.
Studies show that people who have poor control of their diabetes are more likely to have gum disease than those who have diabetes that is well controlled. They also tend to lose more teeth from gum disease.
What’s more, recent research shows that having gum disease may make your blood sugars and diabetes worse. Some researchers think this may be because gum disease increases inflammation in the body. This inflammation makes it harder to control blood sugar. People with diabetes also have a decreased ability to fight infections. But prompt treatment of gum disease can help reduce the effect it has on blood sugar levels.
See your dentist right away if you have any of these signs of gum disease:
Gums that are red, swollen, sore, or bleed easily
Gums that pull away from your teeth
Sensitive or loose teeth
Changes in the way your bite feels
Dentures that don’t fit correctly
Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
Gum disease is the most common mouth problem for people with diabetes. But diabetes also puts you at risk for other mouth problems, because it reduces your ability to fight infections and high blood sugar makes it easier for germs and bacteria to grow in your mouth.
Thrush, a type of fungal infection, is more common in people who have diabetes, especially those who smoke or wear dentures. Thrush causes white or red patches in the mouth that can feel sore or burn. Having thrush can also make it hard to swallow and affect how your food tastes.
If you have any symptoms of thrush, see your doctor or dentist. You may need to take an antifungal medication to treat it. You should also avoid smoking, maintain good blood sugar control, and if you wear dentures, remove and clean them daily.
Some people with diabetes also have dry mouth and problems with healing. A dry mouth can cause soreness and ulcers, increase your risk for cavities, and may lead to salivary gland infections. If your mouth is dry, try drinking more water or chewing sugar-free gum.
If you have problems with healing, it may take longer for your mouth to heal after any type of dental surgery. It can also increase your risk of infection. Be sure to let your dentist know you have diabetes.
The good news is you can avoid many mouth problems by practicing good oral hygiene. Here’s what you can do to help avoid mouth problems with diabetes:
Keep your blood sugar levels under control. Studies show that if your blood glucose levels are high, you are more likely to have mouth problems.
Floss at least once a day. This will help prevent plaque from building up on your teeth. To floss correctly, use about 18 inches of floss. Slide the floss gently up and down between your teeth, then curve it around the bottom of each tooth. Ask your dentist to show you how.
Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush at least twice a day, or after each meal and snack. Aim to brush for about three minutes.
When brushing your teeth, tilt your toothbrush to an angle at the gums, and gently brush away from the gumline. Use small, circular movements.
Brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth to help remove bacteria from your mouth.
Replace your toothbrush when the bristles are worn — usually about every 3 to 4 months.
Ask your dentist if you should use an antimicrobial toothpaste or mouth rinse.
Visit your dentist for a cleaning and checkup at least every six months. Depending on your oral health, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits.
If you smoke, quit. Smoking increases your risk of gum disease and infection.
Check your mouth and gums often for any signs of a problem. If you notice any changes in your mouth, see your dentist right away.
Remember, the holidays are near! Thus, it would be best to keep healthy during this time of celebration.
