If you have diabetes, you may already know that you need to see several specialists regularly, such as a podiatrist to care for your feet and an ophthalmologist to ensure your eyes remain healthy. You may not know that diabetes can also affect your oral health, so you may need to add your dentist to your list of specialists to see regularly.
The providers at Century City Smiles and Orthodontics encourage everyone to enjoy regular dental checkups and excellent dental hygiene, but those visits are especially important if you have diabetes. For National Diabetes Month in November, here are five ways diabetes can impact your oral health.
Gum disease is one of the most common conditions humans can have. In the early stages, it’s called gingivitis, and people who have diabetes are more likely to have it than people who don’t have diabetes.
When your gums are healthy, they form a nice seal around your teeth, keeping bacteria away from the inner tooth tissue. Without a thorough at-home care routine and regular professional cleanings, plaque builds up on your teeth, especially along your gums.
Plaque encourages bacteria because it’s made up of sugars and starches from the food you eat. Over time, the bacteria proliferate and weaken the seal between your gums and teeth. Your gums become swollen, tender, and red, and at this stage, you have gingivitis.
When you have diabetes, your body responds to the bacteria more aggressively, and you tend to have a greater inflammatory response. That means gingivitis can progress faster than it would if you didn’t have diabetes.
The next stage of gum disease is called periodontitis, and it involves damage to the tissues that support your teeth. Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss because your gums and jawbone become so damaged that they can no longer hold your tooth in place.
Dr. Shawn Saidian wants to save your tooth if possible, but in cases of advanced periodontitis, he may not be able to. Bone loss and tissue damage may also make it difficult for you to have an adequate tooth replacement.
You may already know that having diabetes means you heal more slowly than a person who doesn’t have diabetes. This is true of wounds in your mouth, too.
If you have to have a tooth pulled, it will take longer for your gums to heal, which increases your risk of developing an infection.
Xerostomia, commonly called dry mouth, is a symptom of diabetes. In fact, dry mouth is one of the most frequently reported symptoms. You may have noticed your tongue feeling rough, a lack of moisture in your mouth, chapped lips, or problems swallowing or talking.
Saliva is crucial to the health of your mouth. It helps to break down the foods you eat, especially carbohydrates. It also helps fight off bacteria that can cause infection.
Less saliva means a greater risk of gum disease, bad breath, and a condition called thrush.
Thrush is an infection caused by a fungus called candida. Sometimes, it’s called candidiasis or a yeast infection. Although anyone can get thrush, it’s most common in people with diabetes.
That’s because having high levels of sugar in your blood creates ideal conditions for an overgrowth of candida. Dry mouth can contribute, as well.
When you have thrush, you may have white patches on your tongue, redness and bleeding inside your mouth, pain in your mouth and throat, a bad taste, or cracks in your lips and at the corners of your mouth. It’s uncomfortable.
The best way to limit all of these problems is to keep your blood sugar under control. Work with your medical team, take your medications as directed, eat an appropriate diet, and get in enough physical activity.
The next best way to protect your oral health is to see your dentists regularly. Dr. Saidian may spot signs of problems before you’re aware of them and can help you develop a good hygiene routine to follow between visits.
Make your appointment at Century City Smiles and Orthodontics today, and keep your mouth healthy!
