Information about Diabetes and Oral Health
A healthy smile and teeth are important for everyone, but having high blood sugar can make it difficult to keep your teeth healthier. If you have been diagnosed with Diabetes, learn how it can affect your dental health. At Lumino Smiles Dental, we understand the connection between dental health and diabetes. Recognizing this issue, it has become very important for us to discuss the impact of diabetes on oral health with our patients.
Diabetes, a health condition that affects 1 in 20 Australians, has significant implications for oral health issues, causing the incidence of gum disease, dry mouth, oral thrush, and slow healing processes after post-dental procedures.
How can Diabetes affect my teeth and gum?
Diabetes affects your mouth by causing saliva production to be reduced. Saliva is a very important part of our oral health as it helps to prevent tooth decay by removing pieces of food and debris, preventing bacteria from spreading and even fighting the acids produced by the bacteria. The medications used to treat Type 1 and 2 Diabetes can cause the salivary glands to produce less saliva. When this occurs, the risk for cavities, gum disease, and other dental health issues increases. The high levels of glucose (sugar) found in your blood caused by diabetes and medications can cause the glucose to build up in your saliva. The glucose feeds the bad bacteria along with carbohydrates to form a soft, sticky film called plaque. When the plague is not removed properly, it can harden up near your gumline and turn into a tartar which is also known as calculus, which can cause gum disease.
Our commitment at Lumino Smiles Dental is to empower and educate our patients with knowledge and preventative strategies to limit the cause of further dental issues. By implementing discussions on diabetes into our dental care approach, we aim to provide comprehensive care that not only addresses immediate dental concerns but also to the overall health and well-being of our patients. Our goal is to ensure that every patient is well-informed about how diabetes can affect their oral health, and most importantly why it is crucial to mitigate good oral hygiene in their everyday routine.
Keep Your Mouth Healthy
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Use dental floss at least once a day.
- Inform your dentist if you have diabetes.
- Visit your dentist regularly to improve your oral health.
Symptoms of oral health issues from Diabetes
- Red, swelling, bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Gums pulling away from your teeth
- Loose teeth
- Increasing gaps in between your teeth
- Dry mouth
- Bad breath that does not go away with teeth brushing
Dr. Kiaee and our dedicated team at Lumino Smiles are committed to providing you with the proper guidance and preventive strategies to address how diabetes can affect your oral health. Diabetes can significantly impact oral health, increasing the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues. We invite you to arrange an appointment with Dr. Kiaee at Lumino Smiles, where you'll receive compassionate care and expert advice tailored to your individual needs.