The Link Between Oral Health and Diabetes

As we’ve mentioned before, there is a significant link between oral health and overall health. Certain diseases, like diabetes, show a direct correlation to the health of our teeth and gums. Let’s examine this in more detail.

As we’ve mentioned before, there is a significant link between oral health and overall health. Certain diseases, like diabetes, show a direct correlation to the health of our teeth and gums. Let’s examine this in more detail.

Diabetes Basics

The two main forms of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes, as it typically presents itself in childhood or early adulthood. At present, there is no cure, and people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin injections every day for their entire lives. Type 2 diabetes typically develops in adulthood, although it can occur at any time in life. It is usually, though not always associated with obesity. At present, it accounts for the majority of the cases of diabetes in the world, and it appears to be on the rise.

Both types of diabetes involve the body’s inability to regulate the levels of sugar in the blood via the hormone known as insulin. It’s a balance that must be kept. When our sugar levels go out of whack, we can experience many serious health consequences, including a decreased ability to fight infection, increased risk for strokes and even seizures. Symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, low energy, increased urination, nausea and dizziness. Sometimes, people can experience symptoms for years without realizing that they have diabetes.

People with diabetes must manage their diets very closely, keeping track of their sugar intake in tune with the levels of insulin in their blood. Some people must take insulin injections on a regular schedule, as their bodies have lost the ability to automatically produce this regulating hormone. For those on this type of regimen, each day presents a series of carefully orchestrated checks and balances – a never ending routine to maintain a relatively consistent level of sugar in the blood.

The Sugar Connection

Like so many other medical conditions, sugar is the focal point for diabetes, as it is for oral health. Sugar is the prime source of nourishment for the billions of bacteria that populate our mouths. We certainly don’t want to overfeed these critters, as they are responsible for producing the acid that eats away at the surface of our teeth. The delicate ecosystem of our mouth is another great example of the balance required by our complex biology. And like the body of a diabetic, the mouth responds poorly when that balance is disrupted.

Oral Problems in Diabetes

Two symptoms of diabetes that have immediate consequences for oral health include constant thirst and difficulty in healing. People with diabetes are more prone to developing oral infections such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is characterized by swollen, tender gums that bleed easily. Periodontitis, a more advanced infection, reaches deep into the gums to the bones that hold teeth in place, and causes teeth to become loose, or even to fall out.

The combination of a dry mouth and a weakened immune system work against the mouth’s normal ability to manage bacteria. Saliva is helpful in neutralizing the acids caused by too much oral bacteria. A dry mouth allows the acids to erode the surface of teeth with less natural interference. Likewise, when the body has difficulty fighting infections, the mouth is likely to suffer. In addition to the bacterial infections that produce gingivitis and periodontitis, people with diabetes also suffer a higher likelihood of developing fungal infections such as oral thrush.

Preventive Measures You Should Take if You Have Diabetes

Of course the general advice regarding tooth care applies to people with diabetes. Regular brushing and flossing are a must. Also, due to the higher incidence of infection, signs of gingivitis or other oral infections must be addressed immediately, to prevent them from worsening. Also, smoking is particularly dangerous in people with diabetes, so if at all possible, don’t smoke.

If you have any questions about your oral health and diabetes, don’t hesitate to contact our office or make an appointment to see us in person.