You know diabetes affects organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, and skin. But did you know it also affects another organ, the mouth? Diabetics have teeth and gum issues because of high blood sugar levels. And sugar is food for mouth bacteria. Another reason is that diabetics are slow to heal from infections. Because diabetes can weaken the immune system, this reduces the body’s ability to fight bacteria. As if this wasn’t bad enough, gum disease can also affect the heart.

Below are the common dental problems affecting diabetics:

Tooth Decay/Missing Teeth

A study from Diabetic Medicine revealed that adults with diabetes in the U.S. are more likely to have tooth decay and missing teeth. Diabetics were 32% less likely to keep all of their teeth and have a higher average of missing teeth.

Gum Disease (Gingivitis)

Gum disease is an inflammation of the tissues around your teeth. Plaque causes gingivitis by building up on your teeth near the gum line. Plaque is a thin film that coats teeth and contains bacteria. It can harden and lead to tooth decay. As a result, your gums may become swollen and bleed.

Periodontitis

When gingivitis is untreated, it can lead to periodontitis, which is advanced gum disease. It can destroy the bones that support the teeth, leading to tooth loss.  

Periodontal disease is common in diabetics and is a complication of diabetes. There is a higher risk of periodontal disease in diabetics compared to the general population. In fact, the prevalence of periodontitis in diabetics is 59.6% (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3467897/).

Periodontitis brought on by high blood sugar can result in infection. Infections trigger inflammation in diabetics. As a result, blood sugar levels increase, making it more difficult to manage, and starting a vicious cycle.

Dry Mouth

Diabetics can have dry mouth due to dehydration and high blood sugar. A dry mouth means you have less saliva, which causes cavities since saliva protects teeth by washing away food and bacteria.

Bad Breath

Periodontal disease can cause bad breath. Bacteria can also cause bad breath and high blood sugars can increase bacteria.

Ketones can also contribute to bad breath. Ketones occur when the body doesn’t produce or have enough insulin and the body breaks down fat as fuel. This makes the blood acidic, which can lead to DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) and be deadly if not treated. You can test ketones using test strips available at pharmacies. Contact your doctor if the urine results show moderate to high amounts of ketones.

Besides brushing your teeth, you should also brush your tongue to reduce bad breath. You can also chew sugar-free gum which can mask bad breath and promote saliva production.

Thrush

Thrush is a fungal infection that causes white patches on the tongue, cheek, gums, and tonsils. High blood sugar means high sugar levels in your saliva, which encourages fungus to grow in the mouth. A dry mouth, coupled with a higher amount of sugar in the salvia, can encourage thrush to grow.

Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning Mouth Syndrome is a burning feeling in the mouth caused by high blood sugar. It may affect the tongue, gums, lips, inside of your cheeks, and the roof of your mouth.

To ease the pain, the NIDCR (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) recommends avoiding tobacco, spicy foods, mouthwash with alcohol, and acidic foods such as citrus fruits. To reduce the pain you can sip cold beverages, suck on ice, and chew sugarless gum.

What Does Your Mouth Have to do With Your Heart?

Besides tooth decay, plaque causes another issue dangerous for diabetics, cardiovascular disease. Plaque can travel to the arteries, narrow their walls, and restrict blood flow. Consequently, the blockage can cause a heart attack. This is troubling for diabetics since we are already at high risk for heart disease. The CDC warns that if you have diabetes, you’re twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke as someone without diabetes.

Moreover, studies reveal that gum disease is associated with heart disease. Also, mouth infections increase bacteria in the bloodstream, which can affect the heart valves (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/heart-disease-prevention/faq-20057986).

How to Ease and Prevent Dental Problems

Here are things you can do to manage dental problems:

  • Drink more water or chew gum to increase saliva production
  • Manage blood sugar levels
  • Brush and floss regularly
  • Clean dentures daily
  • Visit your dentist for regular checkups and inform them you have diabetes
  • Quit smoking, which increases your risk of gum disease and makes diabetes worse
  • Limit foods and drinks high in sugar

Two Natural Solutions

If you can’t see your dentist right away, here are two natural solutions you can use:

Hydrogen peroxide contains antibacterial properties and can kill mouth bacteria. A study showed that hydrogen peroxide can help reduce gum inflammation when used with brushing and flossing (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1601-5037.2010.00492.x).

For toothaches, you can use clove oil. Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic that helps to numb and reduce pain. You can find clove oil dental kits at most pharmacies.

Conclusion

Diabetes affects many organs, including the mouth. High blood sugars feed bacteria and make fighting mouth infections harder. In addition, gum disease is associated with a risk of developing heart disease. Managing blood sugar levels is key. But you should also visit your dentist regularly, brush your teeth, and use the tips above. Here’s to a healthy and happy smile.

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