There are just under six million diabetics in the UK. Some of these cases will be mild while others will be more serious with the risks that can bring. Being a diabetic can bring many challenges and changes in lifestyle. Most people with diabetes understand that this is the situation, but may be surprised to hear that diabetes can also have a significant impact on oral health, As such, changes may be needed to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
In today’s blog, the dentists at Blake Dental offer some advice for anyone suffering from diabetes, specifically on the likely problems it might cause and how to do what you can to help improve the situation. We hope this is useful for our Witham dental patients who suffer with this common condition.
Let us start by taking a look at the likely problems that this condition might cause or worsen.
Gum disease
This is one of the most common problems, from an oral health perspective, that diabetics are likely to encounter. This is largely caused by high blood sugar levels causing the immune system to be less efficient and allowing gum infections such as gingivitis to increase more rapidly. Without early intervention, this can advance to the periodontitis stage much faster than it would in non diabetics. For this reason, our dental hygienist may recommend that a diabetic patient sees them more frequently to have their teeth professionally cleaned with a scale and polish procedure, perhaps every three months instead of six monthly.
Tooth decay
A similar thing happens with tooth decay. The higher glucose levels that can occur in diabetic saliva, means that bacteria can multiply more rapidly and attack the tooth enamel more aggressively. This means that diabetics are at a higher risk of cavities and should make sure that they brush and floss their teeth really well. They should also follow any specific oral health advice that the dentist might give them. More frequent check ups might be advised so that any problems can be treated in their early stages.
Slower healing and infections
Although this applies to gum disease, the slower healing of the treatment site when you have had an extraction or other invasive procedure can also take longer to heal. This increases the risk of further infections. Again, you should follow any advice that you are given to help any recovery be as quick and effective as possible.
Glucose control
The most important thing that a diabetic can do is to follow their GPs advice to help them maintain a healthy glucose level. This is obviously important for their overall well being but will also be beneficial for their oral health as well. Whether this is maintained through a change in dietary habits or through medication, this should be your priority if you have diabetes.
Quit smoking
This one should be a ‘no brainer’. If you smoke, you are already at a higher risk of gum disease, and, when combined with diabetes, this is a ticking time bomb that will almost certainly mean that this will happen. Gum disease not only causes unpleasant symptoms in many cases but may also lead to tooth loss.
Better cleaning
Being diabetic means that you should take extra care when cleaning your teeth. It is not enough to simply brush the teeth but should also include additional focus on the gums too. Making sure to brush gently around the gum line with a healthy toothbrush no older than three months, should help to remove bacteria that is trapped there. You should also use floss if you don’t already do so. Our local dental hygienist can demonstrate how to do this if you find it difficult to do so.
Hydration
Diabetes can lead to a dry mouth. As readers of our blog will know, this causes bacteria to increase in the mouth, increasing the risk of gum disease. Make sure that you drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated to help you to avoid this problem. Chewing sugar free gum can also help to stimulate saliva flow as well which will help.
More regular professional care
Finally, if you are diabetic, you should ensure that your dentist knows this. They will be able to offer specific advice to help you maintain a healthy mouth with better care, along with perhaps more frequent professional dental health intervention. This may feel a little inconvenient, having to visit a dentist more often, but it does mean that you have a better chance of maintaining a healthy mouth and perhaps even keeping teeth that might otherwise be lost.
If you would like any more information about diabetes and your oral health or have any questions about this subject, please do call us for advice. If you would like to book an appointment, either with the dentist or dental hygienist too, you can contact us by calling Blake Dental on 01376 501688.
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Katie Annabel Blake trading as Blake Dental is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Financing First Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Katie Annabel Blake is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Financing First Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
