What’s Diabetes and its indication
through oral cavity
The oral first signs
are red, sore, and bleeding gums. Diabetes affects your body’s ability to
process sugar. Food is converted to sugar and used for energy, while in diabetes;
the body doesn’t make enough insulin, a hormone that carries sugar from your
blood to the cells that need it for energy, thus resulting in high blood sugar
levels, which can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and
oral health.
Other signs in mouth
- You
may have less saliva, causing dry mouth.
- Because saliva protects your teeth, thus caries/cavity
risk increases.
- Gums may become inflamed and bleed often (gingivitis).
- Taste sensation gets reduced.
- You may experience delayed wound healing.
- You may be susceptible to infections inside of your
mouth.
- For children with diabetes, teeth may erupt at an age
earlier than is typical.
Diabetics Are More
Prone to Gum Disease
Many people do not go to the dentist
when their gums bleed while brushing and flossing. This bleeding is not normal,
it needs to be addressed. If the plaque is not brushed and flossed away it
hardens into tartar and collects under the gum line. To make matters worse,
more plaque forms over the tartar, so you can imagine how the problem can
escalate.
Oral cavity is a home to different
species to bacteria, but in non-diabetics body immune status is sufficiently
strong to handle that to a particular extent, while in diabetics, one can end
up with a chronic infection in the gums. When you reach this stage, your
gums begin to pull away from your teeth. Pockets form between your teeth and
gums. These fill with germs and pus, and deepen. When this happens, you may
need gum surgery to save your teeth. If nothing is done, the infection goes on
to destroy the bone around your teeth. The teeth may start to move or get
loose, this is called as periodontitis.
Periodontal disease is the most common
dental disease affecting those living with diabetes, affecting nearly 22% of
those diagnosed. Especially with increasing age, poor blood sugar control
increases the risk for gum problems.
Established Evidences
Research also suggests
that the relationship between serious gum disease and diabetes is two-way. Not
only are people with diabetes more susceptible to serious gum disease, but
serious gum disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the
progression of diabetes. Research suggests that people with diabetes are at
higher risk for oral health problems, such as gingivitis (an
early stage of gum disease) and periodontitis (serious gum disease). People
with diabetes are at an increased risk for serious gum disease because they are
generally more susceptible to bacterial infection, and have a decreased ability
to fight bacteria that invade the gums.
Dentist’s role in fighting gum issues
Regular dental visits are important. Treating gum disease can
help improve blood sugar control in patients living with diabetes, decreasing
the progression of the disease. Practicing good oral hygiene and having
professional deep cleanings done by your dentist can help to lower your HbA1c.
(This is a lab test that shows your average level of blood sugar over the
previous three months. It indicates how well you are controlling your
diabetes.)
Action
plan for future
Teamwork involving self-care and professional care from your
dentist will be beneficial in keeping your healthy smile as well as potentially
slowing progression of diabetes. Here are five oral health-related things you
can do to for optimal wellness:
- Control your blood
sugar levels. Use your medications as directed, changing to a healthier diet and even exercising more can
help. Good blood sugar control will also help your body fight any
bacterial or fungal infections in your mouth and help relieve dry mouth
caused by diabetes.
- Avoid smoking.
- If you wear any
type of denture, clean it
each day.
- Make sure to brush twice a day with a soft brush and floss correctly daily.
- See your dentist
for regular checkups.
