Learning to Manage Your Dental Problems

Has Your Dentist Talked To You About The Link Between Your Diabetes And Your Oral Health?

11 October 2015 by Charlotte Beck

As a diabetic, you are more likely than others to develop gum disease, including gingivitis which is an early stage of gum disease and periodontitis. In addition, thrush is also a common issue for diabetics and appears more often in diabetics with poor control of their blood glucose level and oral health. Fortunately, you can maintain or improve your oral health by seeing a dentist, like Dental Associates PC, regularly and maintaining a safe blood sugar through diet, exercise, and medication.

Understanding Gum Disease

Unfortunately, if you develop serious gum disease, your blood sugar can be affected, which may cause your diabetes to worsen--it's a vicious cycle! And since injuries to your skin can take longer to heal than the average person, your damaged gums may not heal quickly and be prone to infection. Since gum disease leads to tooth loss, it is important to prevent it when possible.

The good news is that there is a lot that you can do to maintain a healthy smile. Some dentists recommend specific toothpastes or prescription mouthwashes for diabetic patients. Self care at home is even more important for diabetics than it is for the general population, so rinsing your mouth after sugary foods or drinks and seeing your dentist every six months or as directed are some of your best choices. Antibiotics, dental surgery, and periodontic scaling treatments may be necessary to contain gum disease.

Thrush And What It Means For Diabetics

Thrush is the result of an overgrowth of yeast in the body. It starts as a white covering in the mouth and if left untreated, can spread to the tonsils, gums, back of the throat, and top of your mouth. It can be painful and will often make eating and drinking uncomfortable. 

If you do not have great control of your blood glucose, your high blood sugar will literally feed the yeast. You and your dentist will have to come up with a diet plan so you can avoid further infections. Also, smoking puts you at an increased risk of thrush, so you can help yourself by quitting.

Since some medications cause dry mouth--a natural breeding site for thrush--ask your dentist about a topical prescription medication. Make sure you are chewing sugar-free gum and drinking water to increase your saliva flow.

In conclusion, if you are a diabetic you could develop serious dental problems that can impact your oral health or even worsen your diabetic symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial to never miss a dental appointment and to seek timely dental care if you notice thrush, bleeding gums, or other dental problems.

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