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.

3 Habits That Destroy Your Smile

According to a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry, there are a few things you may be doing that are destroying your teeth… Brushing too soon after eating Consuming acidic foods and beverages is a part of everyone’s diet. Whether it is a citrus fruit or a glass of wine, these contain a lot […]

Will Whitening Harm Your Teeth?

Repeated use of whitening strips might sound dangerous to your teeth, but, according to dental professionals, there is no harm to using whitening strips over time. Dr. Denis Kinane, dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, said in a New York Times article that “there is no indication that frequent, long-term use […]

Beaver Enamel: What Can We Learn?

When you think of the paradigm of good oral health, you may not think immediately of beavers. However, it’s true—these constructive little critters have good oral health, despite the fact that you don’t see beavers brushing and flossing! So what keeps their teeth in such good condition? They’ve got help right from the get-go with […]

Why Add Mouthwash to Your Oral Health Routine?

Maybe you’ve seen the multi-colored bottles of minty-fresh mouthwash in the supermarket and have been wondering what the benefits are of adding mouthwash to your routine. Mouthwash won’t be the answer to all of your oral health needs, so read on to figure out what mouthwash can and can’t do for you. When adding mouthwash […]

ADA Recommends Earlier Fluoride Distribution for Children

When you think about dental hygiene for your kids, are brushing and flossing the only things that come to mind? These two items are highly important to maintain good oral health, but recently, the American Dental Association “recommends earlier fluoride distribution for children,” meaning parents will have to put a tad more effort in caring […]