how diabetes effect dental health?

dental-health

People with diabetes are more common to have teeth and gums disease, so having a good dental health is essential to prevent dental complications. Taking care of your teeth and gums is an important part of learning to live with both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic people who have poor control of their blood glucose levels are more prone to get teeth and gum problems. Therefore controlling your blood sugar level to a normal range will reduce the risk of dental problems. Choosing a healthy lifestyle such as eating a balanced diet, quitting smoking and getting regular exercise are most recommended to reduce the risk of oral health issues.

Symptoms of dental health problems

If you experience any of the symptoms given below, you should see your dentist to get an urgent treatment if required. The symptoms include:

·         Loose teeth

·         Bleeding gums

·         Receding gums

·         Sore or swollen gums

·         Bad breath

Diabetes and gum diseases

People with prolonged high blood sugar levels can increase the risk of dental health problems, including gum disease.

Gum disease is classified based on the severity of its development. There are three stages of gum disease:

1.      Gingivitis: It is the initial stage of gum disease, resulted from poor oral hygiene and irregular removal of plaque from teeth. This problem is characterized by red, swollen and tender gums and it can lead to bleeding while brushing.

2.      Periodontitis: Untreated gingivitis can cause mild periodontitis. People with a family history of gum disease, poor oral health or uncontrolled diabetes are common to face the conversion of gingivitis to periodontics. This is the stage when there will be damage to the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Visit your dentist to prevent further damage.

3.      Periodontitis (Severe): It is the most severe, advanced stage of gum disease, characterized by significant bone and tissue loss around the teeth.

Thrush

Thrush is a fungal infection which can infect the mouth, sometimes occur in the dry mouth, after taking a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics. People who have poor blood sugar control are more susceptible to develop thrush.