How Does Diabetes Affect Your Teeth?
Diabetes patients are more likely to have oral health issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. So, if you have diabetes, you must take precautions to maintain healthy teeth and gums. We will cover how diabetes can impact your teeth and what you can do to safeguard your dental health in this blog post. Uncontrolled diabetes can have a negative impact on your teeth and oral health. Diabetes patients are more likely to develop gum disease and tooth decay.
What Effects Does Diabetes Have on Your Teeth and Oral Health?
Diabetes can harm the health of your teeth and gums in a variety of ways, including:
- Diabetes can cause a decrease in saliva production, resulting in xerostomia, or dry mouth. Saliva is needed to keep the mouth wet and to wash away food and microorganisms. A dry mouth raises the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
- Gum disease: Diabetes impairs the body’s ability to fight infection, increasing the risk of gum disease. Gum disease is a bacterial infection that causes redness, swelling, and bleeding in the gums. If gum disease is left untreated, can result in tooth loss.
- Tooth decay: The high sugar levels in diabetic saliva create a perfect condition for bacteria to develop. These bacteria degrade sugars and generate acids, which can cause tooth damage and decay. Furthermore, a dry mouth can raise the risk of dental decay.
- Uncontrolled diabetes might also cause a delay in the healing process. This is an issue with surgical dental operations like tooth extraction and dental implants.
- Diabetes can also raise the likelihood of fungal infections of the mouth, such as thrush, an infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans. It can result in white, spotty lesions on the tongue and the insides of the cheeks. Uncontrolled diabetes can harm your teeth and cause major oral health issues. If you have diabetes, you should take precautions to safeguard your teeth and gums.
How Can You Keep Your Teeth Healthy When You Have Diabetes?
Diabetes patients are more likely to have problems that harm their teeth and oral health. Diabetes patients must practice good dental hygiene to help prevent these complications. Here is some advice for avoiding dental problems if you have diabetes:
- Keep an eye on your blood sugar levels: Control your blood sugar levels to lower your chance of oral health concerns.
- Maintain proper dental hygiene: This includes brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and using mouthwash.
- Quit smoking: Smoking increases your chances of developing gum disease and tooth decay. Smokers with diabetes are more prone than non-smokers to suffer oral health concerns.
- Eat a nutritious diet: A nutritious diet is essential for general health, including oral health, and must consume an abundance of fruits, veggies, and whole grains where as avoid sugary foods and beverages.
- Drink plenty of water: Water keeps your mouth moist while also washing away food and bacteria.
- Regularly visit your dentist: Schedule a professional cleaning and check-up with your dentist every 6 to 12 months.
CONCLUSION
A healthy mouth is vital for everyone, but high blood sugar might make it more difficult. Learn how to avoid oral health concerns and keep a smile on your face if you have diabetes. Maintaining and taking care of your teeth is extremely important if you have diabetes. White blood cells might be weakened by high blood sugar levels. These are your body’s primary defenses against infections in the mouth. But keep that smile on your face! Diabetes management affects more than just blood sugar levels; it also aids in the prevention of gum disease and other oral infections. Sky dental clinic is a full-service multi-specialty dental and implant center in Vijayawada, serving everyone from young children to the elderly.