Diabetes & Oral Care

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases that affect your body in multiple ways. It can affect your eyes, nerves, heart, and kidneys if left uncontrolled.

Symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, hunger and frequent urination. Did you know it also affect your mouth? While there is considerable awareness regarding the general aspects of the diabetes, there is little known about the oral effects.

Diabetes occurs as a result of elevated blood sugar levels. This elevation is the result of a deficiency in insulin secretion or an increased cellular resistance to the actions of insulin, leading to a variety of metabolic abnormalities involving carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Interestingly we have had several encounters of patients where we as dentists have detected their diabetes. This is because several signs of your diabetes can be detected in your mouth.

Oral manifestations of Diabetes Mellitus

1. Periodontal disease (Advanced gum disease)

Perhaps the most significant impact of diabetes in terms of oral manifestations occurs on supporting structures of your teeth. This includes tissues that hold a tooth in right place. Due to damage of supporting tissues (bone), the tooth becomes loose. Diabetic patients often complain of multiple or recurrent abscess or pus discharge in the mouth.

Diabetes and Periodontal disease share a bi-directional relationship in their disease mechanism.

Periodontitis tends to be more severe among people who have diabetes because diabetes lowers the ability to resist infection and slows healing. An infection such as periodontitis may also cause your blood sugar level to rise, which in turn makes your diabetes more difficult to control.

2. Dry mouth

Often people suffering from diabetes complain of dry mouth (xerostomia). This happens due to less saliva in your mouth. Due to lack of salivation to keep your oral cavity moist, the chances of developing cavities, thrush and gum disease may also increase.

3. Oral thrush

Diabetic people are more to develop a fungal infection caused by Candida Albicans. Oral thrush in adults generally appears as thick, white/ cream-colored deposits (spots) or red coloured spots on the mucous membrane of the mouth (wet parts of the inside of the mouth). The spots may be raised. There may be discomfort or a burning sensation.

4. Decayed teeth

There are several good and bad bacteria that reside in our oral cavity. The sugar and starch inside the mouth are utilised for bacterial growth. The higher your blood sugar level, the greater the supply of sugars and starches for these bacteria and the greater the decay of your teeth.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR ORAL HEALTH IF YOU ARE DIABETIC?

• Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.

• Always maintain a good oral hygiene routine with regular brushing, rinses and flossing.

• Schedule regular visit with your dentist.

The earliest signs of your diabetes may come in the form of your gum disease, look for early signs of gum disease.