Diabetes is a challenging disease that gives the fear of needles and leads individuals to surrender to their childhood favorite sweets. Among many effects of diabetes on your body, diabetes and oral health problems are rising.
Taking care of your teeth and gums is essential, and this is true for people with diabetes. The link between diabetes and oral health is like a hidden treasure trove of knowledge waiting to be discovered. This guide will help you explore this connection and provide valuable insights so that you stay healthy and keep smiling.
Demystifying Diabetes and Its Impact on Oral Health
Before diving deeper into the oral health specifications, let’s explain diabetes. As a complex health condition, diabetes disturbs how your body tolerates sugar or glucose. Your body will not be able to tolerate high sugar levels in the blood if you have diabetes. There are two types of diabetes, including:
- Diabetes Type 1
- Diabetes Type 2
Diabetes Type 1
This type of diabetic issue occurs in children and teenagers. It happens when the immune system gets wild and, by mistake, attacks the cells in the pancreas, producing insulin. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels; if it is in short supply, blood sugar levels shoot up.
Diabetes Type 2
Type 2 is more common in adults and relates to lifestyle aspects. This type of diabetes often develops slowly and is connected to diet, exercise, and genetics. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body either does not respond well to insulin or does not make enough of it. This prevents glucose from entering your cells appropriately, which causes high blood sugar levels.
Typical Oral Problems Related to Diabetes
With the rise of diabetes in the society, people can experience multiple oral health problems, including:
Gum Disease: Receding and bleeding gums because of a poor immune system.
Dry Mouth: Insufficient saliva can cause serious issues such as soreness, ulcers, infections, and tooth decay.
Thrush: Sore white patches in the mouth or tongue because of increased glucose in saliva, leading to thrush.
Burning Mouth: Burning sensation that reduces glycemic control and metabolic changes.
Tooth Decay: High sugar levels lead to weakness in your teeth and increase the chance of tooth decay.
Bad Breath: Bad breath can occur despite brushing and is related to blood glucose levels. When glucose is low, the body uses fats for energy, which can produce chemicals that contribute to bad breath.
Effective Ways to Manage Your Diabetes and Oral Health
If you have diabetes and you want to get rid of oral issues, there are multiple tips you can follow. Lifestyle changes can help prevent the major oral problems you are facing while being diabetic.
Brush Regularly: Your mouth bacteria can enter your body which may be harmful for your overall health. Untreated mouth sores and ulcers may disturb swallowing and digestion. Brush your teeth daily to prevent unsafe bacteria and food remnants from leftovers. This habit can help you avoid ulcers and blisters.
Floss Properly: This is an effective technique for maintaining oral health. Flossing on a regular basis after every meal helps keep food particles from gathering up in the teeth, reducing the chances of plaque and, consequently, helping to maintain oral health.
Rinse Frequently: If brushing or flossing your teeth is not possible, it is best to rinse them with regular water. This is essential to keeping your teeth clean and healthy and preventing diabetes and mouth sores by removing the decomposition of bacteria and plaque.
Quit Smoking: Smoking can badly impact your immune system as well as cause gum diseases. With extreme smoking, you can be affected by major health issues such as receding gums, bleeding gums, and oral cancer. Once started, these conditions cannot be reversed. The only thing individuals incorporate into their habit is to prevent smoking.
Control Your Sugar Levels: To keep your body functioning normally, you must control your sugar levels. This will help you avoid dry mouth, which means there are fewer risks of fungal and bacterial development and a reduced risk of infections overall. You must check your sugar level often by yourself or by visiting the nearby clinic, which helps you track your health.
Regular Checkups with Dentist: Visit your dentist regularly for maintaining your overall health. Based on your oral health, the dentist can suggest a personalized solution to preserving diabetes and oral health. If these issues are handled promptly, the success rate will be increased. In case of tooth decay or caries, the dentist will provide immediate treatment, helping you recover quickly.
Bottom Line
With the advancement in technology, the side effects of diabetes can be controlled. Oral health is necessary, but diabetic individuals can take care of their health consistently as diabetes and mouth sores have recurrent incidents. This helps maintain the entire health of a diabetic person. To maintain decent oral hygiene, you must visit the dentist and adopt a holistic approach. This will help you cope with both your diabetes and oral health. Keep in mind that your smile defines your overall personality, and it is worth it to take care of it.