How Diabetes Affects Your Oral Health

Posted on: 10 December 2018

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Living with diabetes will require some work if you want to keep your blood-sugar levels under control and failing to control these levels can affect your health in many ways. Additionally, when your blood-sugar levels are not kept under control, it can negatively affect your oral health. If you have diabetes, it is important to understand that this health condition can cause problems with your oral health, and here are some of the top things you should know about diabetes and its effects on oral health.

Elevated blood-sugar levels lead to a variety of oral health problems

When your blood-sugar levels increase and stay high for too long, problems in your body and mouth can occur. One of the main reasons for this is due to the way elevated blood-sugar levels prevent the body from fighting infections. If your body cannot fight infections, your mouth will not be able to fight the bacteria as well, and this could lead to an increased risk of developing gum disease.

High blood-sugar levels also cause your body to lose hydration, which lead to your salivary glands having trouble producing enough saliva. If this happens, you can experience dry mouth, which is a condition that causes bad breath and increases your risks of developing cavities.

Your main goal should be to control your blood-sugar levels

To fight the problems diabetes can cause to your teeth and gums, your main goal should be to keep your blood-sugar levels under control. By focusing on this, you can reduce the risks of developing oral problems from your diabetes, and you can also stay healthier overall.

In addition to controlling your blood-sugar levels, you should also aim to keep your mouth clean. To do this, focus on developing good brushing and flossing habits. You may also want to use a mouth rinse product, and you can ask your dentist which type to use.

Your dentist may also recommend coming in every three months for cleanings and exams instead of waiting a full six months. At each visit, your dentist can ensure that your mouth is healthy and can give you tips and suggestions that may help you protect your oral health.

If you are living with diabetes, you may need to visit your dentist more frequently if you want to keep your mouth healthy and reduce the risks of developing oral problems. If you have questions about this, talk to your local dentist today.