Diabetics Mouth and Dental Care

Diabetics have high blood sugar in their entire body, including their gums and teeth. That means, flossing and brushing of teeth has plenty of things to do with diabetes. If you have diabetes, dental care matters significantly.

For both type 1 and type 2 diabetics, management of blood sugar level is the key. And so is dental care. The higher the sugar, the higher the risk of having tooth decay or cavities since supply of starches and sugar is high and more acid will wear your teeth.

Mouth, plaques, cavities and gingivitis

Naturally, the mouth has many types of bacteria. Plaque forms in the teeth, when this bacteria interacts with sugars and starches. Plaque acids attack the teeth enamel, or the hard surface, causing cavities or tooth decay.

If the plaque is not removed from the teeth, it will form into tartar, hardening under the gumline. This causes gingivitis, when plaque and tartar irritate the part of the gum around the teeth base called gingiva. This is gingivitis. For diabetics, avoiding this is the main goal of careful dental care. Gingivitis can also lead to more serious infections if left untreated. One of these complications is periodontitis.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis destroys the bone and soft tissue the support the teeth, causing the gums and the teeth to be separated. Worse, periodontitis rises blood sugar levels making it difficult to control. Likewise, prevention and treatment of periodontitis can help control blood sugar.

Diabetes and oral care

Diabetes reduces the body’s ability to fight bacteria, including the fight of bacteria inside the mouth. It also slows down healing process and lowers the ability to resist infection.

Patients with diabetes have possibilities of having dry mouth. Diabetics have their high sugar decrease the flow of saliva that results in dry mouth. Dry mouth can cause infections, tooth decay, soreness and ulcers. That is why dental care is important.

Diabetics are also prone to thrush, a fungal infection of the tongue and mouth. This likewise causes burning tongue or mouth.

Oral care

To prevent oral problems, avoid smoking to avoid the development of periodontal disease and thrush. Smoking can obstruct flow of blood to the gums, which can affect healing of the wounds in the tissue area.

Diabetics should look after their mouth and teeth, visit the dentists regularly and do proper brushing and flossing.

A good toothbrush has nylon bristles that are soft and with rounded ends. Fluoride toothpaste keep the teeth strong. A mouthwash which is anti-bacterial can also be a good idea.

Diabetics can actually find it easy to do dental care since it can just be practiced as part of routine and habit.