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| Dental Care |  When people have diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels can damage many parts of their body, including their mouth and teeth. Diabetes increases risk of gum disease, cavities and tooth loss, dry mouth, and a variety of oral infections.
In its turn, poor oral health can make your diabetes more difficult to control. Infections can cause high blood sugar. In this case you will need more insulin to keep it under control.
Besides, diabetes can reduce your ability to taste sweet-stuff. This change may be noticeable. You may choose foods of additional sweeter taste. In such a way you will affect your dental health, as well as your ability to control your diabetes.
That’s why you have to know about potential oral complications from diabetes. This will improve your chances of maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth.
Following dental problems can redouble your tooth and gum damage from diabetes:
- Red, sore, or swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Your gums pull away from the teeth
- Chronic bad breath
- Dentures that don’t fit well
- Lose or sensitive teeth
In order to prevent damage to your teeth and gums you have to:
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year. Besides, your dentist has to know that you have diabetes.
- Brush your teeth and the upper surface of your tongue twice a day. For brushing use a soft nylon toothbrush.
- Floss every day.
- Examine carefully for early signs of gum disease, like bleeding, redness and swelling.
- If you notice any of them, see your doctor.
Dental complications that can be caused by diabetes:
- Plaque
- Gum diseases: from irritation to tooth loss
- Dry mouth
- Fungal infection
- Oral lichen planus
- Burning mouth syndrome
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