Diabetes and teeth for World Diabetes Day

The 14th of November is World Diabetes Day and unfortunately this is a growing problem which is affecting more people each year. To mark this important day, we wanted to focus on how diabetes can affect your teeth and the health of your mouth and how you can stop problems developing.

The key issue with diabetes is there’s too much glucose in your blood, high levels of glucose are also present in your saliva which provides the perfect conditions for bacteria to grow. Bacteria as we all know causes plaque and this leads to tooth decay, cavities, gum disease and bad breath.

The most common oral health issues which are caused by diabetes are –

• Gingivitis

• Periodontitis

• Oral Thrush (candidiasis)

• Dry mouth

• Burning sensation in your mouth

• Pain

• Loose teeth

• Bad breath

The most serious condi

tion which has been proven to be more common in diabetics is periodontitis or gum disease. This is important to control, as left untreated it can cause teeth to fall out, which obviously we want to avoid.

So how can you stop problems occurring –

• Control your blood sugar and keep your diabetes under control by eating a healthy diet and taking the medications prescribed to you

• Stopping smoking as this makes all problems with your mouth worse and also increases the risk of many problems associated with diabetes

• Brush your teeth three times a day, preferably after every meal

• Floss and use mouthwash

• Use a soft toothbrush and brush gently but thoroughly for 2 minutes

• Visiting your dentist regularly and reporting any problems as soon as possible before they develop

At Dental Concept 23, we can support you to keep your mouth healthy, but please tell us that you have diabetes at your first visit so we can help you manage your condition and look out for associated oral health conditions.

Many cases of diabetes go undetected until they start causing serious health conditions, so we recommend taking the opportunity to get a diabetes test this World Diabetes Day.

A comprehensive eye test is also a good way to spot diabetes, so get those checked too. To find out more about World Diabetes Day and get tips on how to manage your diabetes visit the website worlddiabetesday.org