Ways that diabetes can affect your oral health

Posted by: Dr. Sirakian Categories: Dentistry, Oral Health

The body is an intricate network working together, so if one system is failing the others suffer as well. While it’s important for everyone to maintain proper oral health, diabetics need to pay extra attention to keeping their mouth healthy. This becomes clear in the varying ways that diabetes can also impact oral health.

1. Increased chance of gum disease – Whether it’s periodontitis or gingivitis, these gum diseases become more prevalent. Diabetes reduces the capabilities of your immune system, making you more prone to these infections, making proper, regular dental care even more important.

2. Increased chance of oral thrush – Again, the weakened immune system increases the susceptibility to oral thrush, a fungal disease recognized by sores and difficulty swallowing.

3. Burning mouth syndrome – The fluctuations in blood glucose levels cause a burning sensation in the mouth. This uncomfortable sensation persists until blood glucose levels are brought under control.

4. Dry mouth – Diabetes comes with decreased salivary flow in the mouth. Saliva is important in remineralizing the teeth’s enamel layer and maintaining the pH of the mouth. A dry mouth can promote the growth of cavity-causing bacteria and prevent the remineralizing of the tooth.

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