Quick Summary
The link between diabetes and oral health runs through blood sugar levels. Uncontrolled diabetes hinders the white blood cells that fight bacterial infections in the mouth. People with diabetes face an increased risk of dry mouth from reduced saliva production, inflammation and gum disease, poor healing in the mouth after dental procedures, and thrush, a fungal infection that thrives on high glucose levels in saliva.
If you have diabetes, this condition can impact your overall wellbeing, including your oral health. An estimated 24 million Americans have diabetes, and many may not realize the affect it has on your teeth and gums. The link between diabetes and oral health has to do with blood sugar levels.
Regulating blood sugar is an important component of diabetes management. If your blood sugar is out of whack, you can have problems. Uncontrolled diabetes hinders white blood cells, which help fight off bacterial infections in the mouth. Research has shown that keeping blood sugar levels steady can lowers the chances of major complications of with the eyes, heart, and nerves. Apparently, watching these levels also helps avoid oral health problems as well.
People with diabetes have an increased risk for:
Dry Mouth – When your blood sugar is not regulated, it can decrease saliva production, which can lead to dry mouth.
Inflammation and Gum disease – With diabetes, patients face impairing of white blood cells and thickening of the blood vessels, reducing the flow of nutrients and the removal of waste in the mouth. These factors compromise the body’s ability to fight infection, so the risk for gum disease increases.
Poor healing in the mouth – If you don’t have the diabetes under control, healing throughout the body take longer, including with any dental procedures.
Thrush – A fungal infection of the mouth and tongue, thrush can occur in diabetics if their sugar levels are inconsistent because this fungus is very receptive to the high glucose levels in the saliva.
Patients with diabetes can keep their mouths healthy by following good home health care, scheduling dental visits every six months, and keeping your dentist informed about the status of your diabetes. Make sure to give your dentist contact information for your primary physician so that they can coordinate your complete health care.
Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Billerica dental office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does diabetes affect my gums?
With diabetes, white blood cells are impaired and blood vessels thicken, reducing the flow of nutrients and the removal of waste in the mouth. These factors compromise the body's ability to fight infection, so the risk of gum disease increases.
Why does healing take longer?
If diabetes is not under control, healing throughout the body takes longer, and that includes healing after any dental procedures.
What is thrush?
Thrush is a fungal infection of the mouth and tongue. It can occur in people with diabetes when sugar levels are inconsistent, because the fungus is receptive to high glucose levels in the saliva.
What should I tell my dentist?
Keep your dentist informed about the status of your diabetes, and give them contact information for your primary physician so they can coordinate your complete health care. Alongside that, follow good home care and schedule dental visits every six months.
Merry Dental, 337 Boston Rd, Billerica, MA 01821. 978-404-5400. Serving Billerica, Lowell, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Burlington and Bedford.