Submitted by Houska Dental Center
People who have diabetes know the disease can harm the eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart, and other important systems in the body. Did you know diabetes could also cause problems in your mouth?
People with diabetes are at heightened risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gums and bone that hold your teeth in place, and may lead to painful chewing problems or even loss of teeth. Gum disease can be more severe and more difficult to control if you have diabetes. In turn, having gum disease can make your blood glucose hard to control.
Dry mouth, often a symptom of undetected diabetes, can cause mouth sores, ulcers, infections, and tooth decay. Diabetes may cause the glucose level in your saliva to increase, which encourages the growth of harmful bacteria. These bacteria combine with food to form a soft, sticky film called plaque. Eating foods that contain sugars or starches encourages growth of plaque. Some types of plaque cause tooth decay, while other types of plaque cause gum disease and bad breath. High glucose levels combined with lack of saliva may also lead to thrush, a fungal infection that causes painful white patches in your mouth.
While diabetes can cause serious problems in your mouth, there is a lot you can do to keep your mouth healthy.
- Good blood glucose control is key to controlling and preventing mouth problems. People with poor blood glucose control get gum disease more often and more severely than people whose diabetes is well controlled.
- Follow good oral hygiene practices, which include brushing and flossing at least twice a day
- Visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning and check-up. This will help to catch any gum disease or tooth decay in the earliest stages.
- Be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes.
- If you smoke — quit. Smoking makes gum disease worse and greatly increases the risk of oral cancer.
- Take time to check your mouth regularly for signs of problems from diabetes. Some of the first signs of gum disease are swollen, tender, or bleeding gums. You may notice dryness, soreness, white patches, or a bad taste in the mouth. All of these are reasons to visit your dentist right away.
- Follow your dentist’s advice. The dentist may recommend using a fluoride mouth rinse to prevent tooth decay or a special mouth rinse to control plaque or prevent gum disease. Oral rinses are also available to combat xerostomia (dry mouth).
If you have diabetes, make sure you take care of your mouth. Following good oral hygiene practices, having regular dental check-ups, and being vigilant about controlling blood glucose levels are the best defenses against the oral complications of diabetes.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Houska Dental Center at 309-662-9042, or visit them online at www.HouskaDental.com. They are located at 2433 Maloney Dr. in Bloomington and offer twenty-five years of exceptional dental care to the Bloomington-Normal area, with expertise in general and cosmetic dentistry.
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