RELATION BETWEEN DIABETES AND DENTAL PROBLEMS

What are Dental Problems and Diabetes?

If you have diabetes, make sure you take care of your mouth. People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place and may lead to painful chewing problems. Some people with serious gum disease lose their teeth. Periodontal disease may also make it hard to control your blood glucose (blood sugar).

What are the symptoms of Dental Problems and Diabetes?

If you have one or more of these problems, you may have tooth and gum damage from diabetes:

• red, sore, swollen gums
• bleeding gums
• gums pulling away from your teeth so your teeth look long
• loose or sensitive teeth
• bad breath
• a bite that feels different
• dentures—false teeth—that do not fit well

What is the treatment of Dental Problems and Diabetes?

Your dentist can help you take care of your teeth and gums by

• cleaning and checking your teeth twice a year
• helping you learn the best way to brush and floss your teeth
• telling you if you have problems with your teeth or gums and what to do about them
• making sure your false teeth fit well
• Get your teeth cleaned and checked twice a year.

Plan ahead. You may be taking a diabetes medicine that can cause low blood glucose, also called hypoglycemia. Talk with your doctor and dentist before the visit about the best way to take care of your blood glucose during the dental work. You may need to bring some diabetes medicine and food with you to the dentist’s office.If your mouth is sore after the dental work, you might not be able to eat or chew for several hours or days.

For guidance on how to adjust your normal routine while your mouth is healing, ask your doctor

• what foods and drinks you should have
• how you should change your diabetes medicines
• how often you should check your blood glucose

What are the complications of Dental Problems and Diabetes?

Tooth and gum problems can happen to anyone. A sticky film full of germs, called plaque, builds up on your teeth. High blood glucose helps germs, also called bacteria, grow. Then you can get red, sore, and swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth.People with diabetes can have tooth and gum problems more often if their blood glucose stays high. High blood glucose can make tooth and gum problems worse. You can even lose your teeth.Smoking makes it more likely for you to get a bad case of gum disease, especially if you have diabetes and are age 45 or older.Red, sore, and bleeding gums are the first sign of gum disease. These problems can lead to periodontitis. 

Periodontitis is an infection in the gums and the bone that holds the teeth in place. If the infection gets worse, your gums may pull away from your teeth, making your teeth look long.Call your dentist if you think you have problems with your teeth or gums. Check your teeth and gums for signs of problems from diabetes.