Diabetes affects millions of Americans today, with numbers expected to grow in the future. Because of this prevalence, the symptoms and effects of diabetes are relatively well known. However, the connection between type 2 diabetes and oral health is often ignored.
Type 2 diabetes and oral health are closely intertwined. Because of this connection, it becomes harder to maintain good oral health when you have diabetes, and the same is true when reversed. In this article, we’ll elaborate on the connection between diabetes, oral health, blood sugar, and gum disease.
The Connection Between Type 2 Diabetes and Oral Health
Before we dive deeper into the relationship between your dental health and diabetes, you must first understand the two kinds of diabetes. Type 1 and Type 2 are very different. Type 1 diabetes is the type that causes your body to halt production of insulin. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is the type that causes your body to stop responding to insulin altogether. People can be born with this disease or it can manifest as a lifestyle disease, developing because of poor diet and exercise habits.
While insulin and oral health may not seem obviously connected, both types of diabetes seriously impact your oral health. To understand why, you have to remember how sugar interacts with the bacteria in your teeth. The microbes in our mouths consume the leftover sugar after we eat something sweet, which leads to plaque and tooth decay. However, bacteria also feed off of sugar from mouth fluids or blood that reaches your gums, which means that both promote the growth of bacteria.
Diabetes aggravates this because of the uncontrolled amount of sugar in the blood. This leads to a host of issues like tooth decay, dry mouth, and gum diseases. In addition, high blood sugar makes it harder for the immune system to do its job; wounds or sores in the mouth will heal slower, making them more susceptible to infection.
Let’s Take a Look at Gum Disease
Around 22% of those with diabetes, regardless of the type, also have periodontal disease. That’s because the gums contain a large number of blood vessels and, therefore, more sugar. Because of this, the spaces between the teeth and the gums become hot spots for bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.
Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is the first stage of periodontal disease. If left untreated, this will develop into more serious complications like periodontitis. This affects not just the gums, but your teeth and jaw bone as well. Once the infection spreads to the bloodstream, the person’s overall health will also be compromised.
If you have diabetes, you need to watch out for the symptoms that could indicate gum disease. By knowing the signs, you can take proactive measures to treat them before they worsen. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- Swollen, red, or bleeding gums
- Gum recession
- Teeth feeling looser
- Constant bad breath
Aside from your gums, you should keep an eye out for symptoms in other parts of your mouth. These include sores that refuse to heal, burning mouth syndrome, enlarged salivary glands, and fungal infections.
Managing Your Blood Sugar
Unfortunately, current medical science hasn’t found a cure for diabetes. Once you have it, you can only manage it by keeping your blood sugar levels at an acceptable level. This keeps symptoms at bay and improves your oral health. For most people, this means a complete overhaul of their lifestyle, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. Here are some simple steps you can take to protect your dental health.
- Maintain good oral hygiene: Your first defense against dental problems is good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day with soft-bristled brushes, use fluoride toothpaste, floss, and clean your mouth immediately after consuming sweet foods or drinks.
- Regulate your sugar and calorie intake: One of the biggest culprits of the diabetes epidemic is added sugar in foods. That’s why it’s important for you to read nutrition labels and avoid foods with added sugar. In addition, you’ll want to reduce the amount of calories you eat as this can increase your sensitivity to insulin.
- Drink water: Juices and soda include sugar that heighten your blood sugar levels. These also leave sugar inside your mouth, which means more food for the bacteria. It’s best to stick with plain water, since it’s free from calories and sugars.
- Make routine dental appointments: Your dentist is an ideal partner when it comes to maintaining good oral health. They can assess your gums and teeth to look for any signs of disease before they become major problems.
Diabetes Can Make Oral Treatments Challenging
Don’t let small issues escalate into large-scale dental problems. While this is good advice for anybody, it’s especially true for people with diabetes. As mentioned, the disease weakens the immune system and makes it harder for the body to heal itself. If you undergo surgery or other forms of procedures, like tooth extractions, your body will have a harder time closing the wounds and you’ll be more prone to infection. For those with type 2 diabetes and oral health issues, it is paramount to address dental concerns before they escalate into something worse.
Visiting an Oral Health Professional Is a Must
You won’t be able to detect dental issues on your own, much less treat them. That’s why it’s essential for those with diabetes to visit oral care professionals like the dentists at Artistic Dental at the biltmore regularly. Routine appointments will help the professionals catch the early signs of gum diseases. In addition, your doctor and dentist can work together to create a plan for managing your diabetes and dental health at the same time.
Schedule an Appointment With Artistic Dental!
Here at Artistic Dental at the biltmore, we’re dedicated to helping you manage type 2 diabetes and oral health. Our experienced dental care professionals will assess your teeth and gums, perform the necessary tests, and recommend procedures or treatments as needed. Contact us today!