The Connection Between Diabetes and Dental Health

CLINICAL CONTENT WRITTEN & REVIEWED BY CLOVE CLINICAL TEAM

Last Modified: February 7, 2022

FACT CHECKED

Maintaining good oral health is not an easy task and it becomes a hassle when you are suffering from diabetes. The relation between oral health and diabetes is the increased sugar level in the blood. This increased blood sugar increases the risk of gum diseases, periodontal problems, and tooth decay in the mouth. At dental hospital, blood glucose levels are checked, before getting any oral treatment. Diabetes affects oral health including many other organs. Here are some oral problems and common solutions listed.

Having Diabetes Your Teeth Bones are Reducing

Some Oral Manifestation Of Diabetes Are –

Uncontrolled diabetes reduces the salivary flow, rendering you with a dry mouth. This condition is responsible for tooth decay and many gum problems.
Diabetes usually thickens the blood vessels, which slows down the flow of nutrients and waste products, affecting your overall body. All these lower the nutrient flow of your mouth thus, increasing gingivitis and periodontal problems.
Uncontrolled blood sugar levels incapacitate the white blood cells of your body, which are the main blood flow is defense system for your mouth. This decreases the healing power of the tissues in diabetic patients after any dental procedures.
The bacteria and fungus devour on the high blood sugar present in the saliva. This makes the diabetic person more prone to fungal and bacterial infections, causing thrush and burning mouth syndrome.

Also Read: Dental Implants Safe Diabetes

Some Common Preventive Measures Are –

The most essential measure to be taken is maintaining good oral hygiene along with regular dental visits.
Maintain your blood sugar level as normal as possible. Have a diet dedicated to maintaining low sugar levels.
Inform your dentist about the status of your diabetic levels at each dental visit. Know your glycosylated heamoglobin[ HgA1C ]level [noraml range is > 7%] . If you are taking insulin shots, inform your dentists about the dosage and timing.
Schedule your doctor appointment before the denial visits. Ask them to communicate to each other about your overall health condition before any oral surgical procedure. Your pre-surgical antibiotics or alteration in the timing of your diet and dodge of your insulin should all be planned.
Inform your dentist about all the medications you are taking. All this information will be needed in prescribing the post-operative medications.
If blood sugar levels are not in control, delay all the non-emergency procedures. There is a high chance of infection in these scenarios.
Healing time is affected in diabetic patients. This should be kept in the mind and all the post-treatment instructions should be followed closely.

Many other oral hygiene tips should be followed. Regular cleaning of teeth and gums twice a year is mandatory. Plaque buildups should be prevented by proper flossing and brushing. Denture wearers should keep their dentures clean to prevent infections. Dental visits are an important aspect of one’s life and diabetic patients should be more diligent about these visits. At Clove Dental, we guide patients about oral problems and diseases that can affect them. You can schedule an appointment with us and get the best treatment with the assistance of experienced professionals.