If you have diabetes, keeping your glucose level within a healthy range and regular dental checkups are key to managing your oral health.
Diabetes can lower the body’s resistance to infection and slow the healing process. These changes affect your teeth and gums. A common oral health problem associated with diabetes is periodontal disease. High glucose levels in saliva help plaque thrive on your teeth. Plaque is a film of bacteria that develops within hours of eating and releases acids that cause tooth decay. Plaque that is not removed can harden into tartar. When tartar collects above the gumline, brushing and cleaning between teeth becomes more difficult.
Diabetes can also reduce the body’s resistance to infection, which can affect gums. An infection of the gum tissues can lead to periodontal disease — chronic inflammation and infection of the gums. Because diabetes may compromise or impair the healing process, periodontal abscesses can develop.
If you notice any of the following warning signs of periodontal disease, see your dentist immediately:
• Gums that bleed easily
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste
• Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
It’s also possible to have periodontal disease and not have these warning signs or have different symptoms. That’s why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are so important.
Eating a healthy diet, taking insulin or oral medications as your doctor directs and advising your dentist about your condition will help you successfully manage the oral complications of diabetes.
