Introduction
According to Iqaluit Dental Clinic, high blood sugar levels weaken the white blood cells in your body which reduce the effectiveness of your immune system. As a result, people with diabetes suffer from many different health complications, including dental problems. Fortunately, even if you have diabetes, you can prevent oral health problems by keeping your blood sugar levels in check.
The Details
Now, let’s look at a few points that will help you understand the correlation between diabetes and dental health:
1. Diabetes and teeth decay – Cavities or tooth decay is caused due to poor dental hygiene such as not following good brushing habits. The improper removal of food particles enabled the bad bacteria in your mouth to feed on them and produce a sticky film on the teeth called plaque. It contains acids that damage the surface of the teeth including the enamel and the dentin and causes cavities and gum diseases.
People with diabetes have a higher blood sugar level which means more glucose in their saliva too. This allows bacteria to feed more effectively and cause more damage to the teeth. Plus, uncontrolled diabetes can decrease saliva production which causes dry mouth and create more problems.
2. Diabetes and gum diseases – People with diabetes need to maintain good oral hygiene at all times since they have lowered resistance to fighting infections and healing from damage. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth effectively, it can lead to the build-up of plaque on your teeth and over time, the plaque can harden under the gumline into dental calculus (tartar).
Dental calculus irritates the gums around the base of the teeth the longer they remain and develop into gingivitis. This can lead to red, swollen, and bleeding gums, open spaces between the teeth, bad taste and bad breath, and more.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it can develop into a serious gum infection known as periodontitis which can destroy bone and soft tissue surrounding your teeth. That’s why it’s crucial to control your blood sugar levels and consult a reputed dental healthcare professional every few months if you suffer from diabetes.
3. Diabetes and oral fungal infections – If you have diabetes, you are more likely to suffer from fungal infections such as oral thrush which are caused by the overgrowth of yeast (Candida albicans). This is because thrush fungus thrives in a high glucose environment caused due to increased blood sugar levels and dry mouth. Plus, people with diabetes are unable to fight off the infection as effectively as normal people.
The symptoms of oral thrush include ulcerated red or white patches on the mouth skin. In order to prevent oral thrush, you must maintain good oral hygiene. You can apply the antifungal medicines prescribed by your doctor to treat oral thrush.
Conclusion
Iqaluit Dental Clinic suggests you report any signs or symptoms of gum disease to your doctor to treat them as soon as possible. This includes swelling, mouth pain, redness, dry mouth, loose teeth, and more. Also, ensure you stay committed to managing your diabetes to keep your blood sugar levels in check at all times.
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