Diabetes Basics:
What is Diabetes? |
Who's at Risk? |
Symptoms |
Diagnosis |
Complications |
 Other Health Issues
Diabetes Basics - Other Health Issues
Oral Health |
Sex and Diabetes |
Obesity |
Skin Care
Oral Health
Diabetes can
lead to infections of the gums and the bones that keep your teeth in place. Like all infections, gum infections can cause blood sugar to rise. To help prevent damage to your teeth and gums, see your dentist twice a year and be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes. Brush and floss your teeth twice a day and keep your blood sugar in a good range. These are the best ways to prevent gum and teeth problems when you have diabetes.
Tips for the teeth
- Know how well controlled your diabetes is and give your dentist this information
at each visit. Call or see your doctor before scheduling any treatment for gum
disease. Ask your doctor to talk to your dentist about your overall medical
condition before treatment starts.
- Consult with your doctor or diabetes educator before any oral surgery to talk
about timing and dosage of insulin.
- Postpone non-emergency dental procedures if your
blood sugar is not in good control, but have infections or abscesses treated
right away.
Plaque
Everybody gets plaque on their teeth; it's a sticky film that's full of germs. But for people with diabetes, it can become more of a problem because high blood sugar helps the germs grow, leading to red, sore, swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth.
That condition can worsen and become an infection in the gums and the bone that holds your teeth in place. If the infection is bad, your gums can pull away from your teeth, and you may ultimately lose the teeth.
Signs of damage to your teeth and gums include:
- red, sore swollen gums
- bleeding gums
- gums pulling away from your teeth so that they look long
- loose or sensitive teeth
- bad breath
- a bite that feels different
- poorly fitting dentures
If you have any of these conditions, make an appointment with your dentist right away.
Keeping Your Gum and Teeth Healthy
It's important that people with diabetes take especially good care of their teeth and gums, with the following practices:
- Brush your teeth after each meal and snack with a soft toothbrush.
- Use dental floss at least once a day to help prevent the buildup of plaque.
- If you wear false teeth, keep them clean.
- Get your teeth and gums cleaned and checked by your dentist twice a year.
- Be sure your dentist knows you have diabetes.
- If you smoke, talk to your doctor or dentist about quitting, since smoking also makes gum problems worse.
If you require a lot of dental work, plan ahead with your doctor and dentist to take care of your blood sugar during your appointments. You may need to bring your diabetes medicine or food with you to the dentist's office.
If your mouth is sore after dental work, you may not be able to eat or chew for several hours or a few days. Ask your doctor how to adjust your normal eating routine, such as what foods and drinks you should have, how you should change your diabetes medicines, and how often you should check your blood sugar during this period.
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