According to the International Diabetes Federation Report 2021, around 1 in every 10 adults suffers from diabetes globally.
It is a chronic condition in which the human body cannot keep blood glucose levels in check. It can lead to a wide range of complications. Yet one of the most overlooked consequences of diabetes is damage to oral health.
High blood glucose levels render the body’s defense mechanisms ineffective, making the gums prone to infection. Therefore, people with diabetes should take extra care of their oral health if they do not want to face dire consequences.
In this article, we will discuss the primary link between diabetes and oral health. We will also offer you tips on how to have healthy teeth and gums.
The Impact of Diabetes on Oral Health
Uncontrolled diabetes causes significant damage to oral health. As discussed, persistently high blood glucose levels impair the body’s immune system. Conclusively, gums become susceptible to episodes of inflammation and infection. These processes can lead to gum disease, often a common complaint among people living with diabetes.
Additionally, research published in the Journal of Periodontology by Stewart and colleagues has indicated that poorly controlled diabetes affects the normal function of salivary glands. When glands cannot produce adequate saliva, this can increase the risk of caries and other gum-related diseases.
Diabetes is responsible for impaired wound healing. Thus, once the disease starts, it becomes challenging to control. Therefore, it is incredibly important for people with diabetes to take extra care of their oral hygiene.
Steps like regular checkups and strict control of blood sugar levels are effective against dental diseases. These steps also promise to improve the quality of life.
Oral Health Tips for Individuals with Diabetes
Proper dental hygiene and regular dental checkups are recommended for people with diabetes. According to general guidelines, everyone should visit their dentist after every six months.
But, if you notice anything unusual, such as swollen/bleeding gum or whitish/blackish spots on your teeth, it’s better to visit your dentist as soon as possible. These findings often signal an underlying disease that can easily be controlled if treatment starts earlier.
During a dental checkup, your dentist will thoroughly examine your oral cavity. He will guide you on the steps you must take according to your unique condition. If required, professional cleanings may be advised to remove plaques and tartar, which can not be scrubbed with a toothbrush and floss.
You should also develop a proper at-home dental care routine. Some things worth considering are brushing your teeth for two minutes twice daily, flossing, and using antimicrobial mouthwash. An antimicrobial mouthwash will also help reduce the bacteria in the mouth.
Blood sugar levels play a huge role in oral health. Regular blood sugar level monitoring or tests like HbA1c can help you have a better look at the level of control you have over diabetes. You can take professional advice and change your diet, lifestyle, or medications to improve diabetes control, essential for better oral health.
The Role of Diet and Nutrition in Oral Health for Individuals with Diabetes
The most important step a person with diabetes needs to take is to develop a proper nutrition plan. This plan will include a set of appropriate foods that not only provide better control over blood sugar levels but also promise optimal oral health.
For example, sugary drinks and foods should be avoided. These food choices disturb the health of teeth and gums and pose significant challenges to managing diabetes.
We are living in the 21st century and everything is digital now. We can use this technology to our benefit. For example, you can search for foods on the internet with low glycemic index and add them to your meals based on your taste preferences.
Some of the common ones include vegetables and whole grain products. If you find it difficult, a better option is to consult a dietitian who will help you devise a customized diet plan.
The Importance of Proper Medication Management for Oral Health
Some of the medications used for type 2 diabetes can affect the ability of salivary glands to produce saliva. This can lead to dry mouth or xerostomia.
Ultimately, dry mouth for long durations increases your risk of having dental caries, periodontal disease, and other mouth problems. Therefore, people with diabetes should ensure they have proper knowledge about their medications.
You need to control your blood sugar levels, and for that, you need medications. Instead of just avoiding medicines, you can work on keeping your oral cavity moist by other means. Some critical strategies are drinking more water, sipping frequently, and using sugar-free chewing gums.
If you have tried everything and nothing seems to work, you should pay attention to your blood sugar levels. Most of the time, high blood sugar levels are the main culprit behind dry mouth. You can consult with your healthcare provider. He will either make changes to your medicines or adjust the dosages.
Lifestyle Habits and Oral Health for Individuals with Diabetes
Smoking and alcohol affect oral health and contribute to the worsening of diabetes. Smoking damages blood circulation in the mouth and slows healing. These changes can promote infections and poor gum health. Smoking also poses a challenge to the management of diabetes, as it can raise blood glucose levels.
Regardless of the quantity, alcohol is damaging to oral health. Taking large amounts can lead to mouth dryness, tooth decay, and high blood sugar levels. Therefore, people with diabetes are often advised to quit smoking and limit the use of alcohol to improve oral and general health.
Exercise positively affects oral health even if it is not directly linked to the oral cavity. You should make activities like walking, cycling, or swimming a part of your lifestyle. Exercises help your body to have better control of blood sugar levels. This can ultimately improve your mouth health.
One often overlooked factor that contributes to the worsening of diabetes is stress. Stress raises cortisol levels in your blood. Cortisol is a key player behind the glucose spikes in your blood. Therefore, stress management should be part of your diabetes and oral health care plan.
The Psychological Impact of Oral Health on Individuals with Diabetes
Diabetes takes a tremendous toll on the emotional well-being of people. For example, physical discomfort stemming from gum diseases and tooth decay may lead to anxiety and depression.
If you are facing similar issues, medications for diabetes and proper oral hygiene are not enough. You also need stress relaxation techniques to keep your mental health in check.
One solution is to consult a professional regarding your condition. You can also join support groups where you get the chance to meet people with similar issues.
You can learn from their mistakes or help them with what you have learned. Most of the time, sharing thoughts, health problems, and potential solutions are effective strategies against stress, anxiety, and related problems.
Most importantly, having a stress-free mind will help you manage your diabetes and focus on oral hygiene. Appreciative attitude, good oral hygiene, and routine appointments with the dentist result from a positive attitude.
FAQs
1. Can diabetes lead to gum disease?
Yes, uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of having gum disease. High blood sugar levels affect the function of the immune system.
A weak immune system makes your oral cavity prone to infections. Poor control of blood sugar also leads to dry mouth, which further contributes to the development of caries and gum diseases.
2. How does diabetes lead to dry mouth?
Persistently high blood sugar levels can interfere with the ability of the salivary glands to release saliva.
Therefore, people with poor control of their blood sugar levels face the problem of dry mouth.
3. Can people with diabetes prevent gum disease?
Yes, people with diabetes can easily prevent gum disease by taking extra care of their oral hygiene and properly controlling blood sugar levels. Daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups are a few other steps that promise better oral health.
4. How often should you visit a dentist?
According to general guidelines, you should visit your dentist once every six months. However, the intervals between checkups depend on your specific condition. Poor oral hygiene, gum diseases, caries, or any other dental problem demands that you visit your dentist more often for better care.
The Bottom Line
Diabetes and oral health are interlinked, as high blood sugar levels lead to different dental problems.
Some of the common issues that people with diabetes face are caries, gum disease, and tooth loss. Therefore, such people need to grasp the link and take necessary actions before things go out of hand.
Lifestyle adjustments, dietary modifications, proper diabetes care, exercise, and stress management are a few top-of-the-list steps you need to take to ensure better quality of living.
