Does Diabetes Weaken Your Teeth? What Is The Sweet Truth?

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Your sweet tooth can also make you lose a tooth! Does diabetes weaken your teeth? Yes, it jolly well does. Diabetes teeth and gum problems aren't a new fact, but what's sad is that they are a potentially vicious cycle. Diabetes has countless effects, poor dental health being one of them.

And if you ask, "Can poor oral health lead to diabetes?" the answer is yes! Prolonged dental infections can raise your blood sugar levels and delay diabetes management. India, the "diabetes capital of the world," needs to awaken soon to fight this plague called diabetes.

How Does Diabetes Weaken Your Teeth?
The link between diabetes and dental health is complex and multifactorial. Heart disease, comas, blindness, and kidney failure are all well-known effects of diabetes. However, very few people are aware of the connection between oral health and diabetes. To help diabetic patients control their blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes-related tooth and gum problems, a dentist-diabetologist collaboration is required.

Diabetics are more likely to have dental problems for the following reasons:
1. High sugar levels in the saliva (like in diabetics) are a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria. Conversely, ongoing dental infections like bleeding gums and tooth decay can raise blood sugar levels and make it more difficult to manage diabetes.

2. Medication for diabetes lowers saliva production, causing dry mouth. Dry, stuffy nooks and crannies inside the mouth attract more plaque and worsen gum infections. In addition, the acidic foods and beverages you consume start eroding your teeth's enamel because your saliva does not wash them away.

3. Diabetes has an impact on blood vessels. They rapidly increase in size, thickness, and fragility. These vessels do not deliver blood as effectively as the regular ones do. This results in poor nutrition supply to the gums and teeth. As a result, your oral health is severely affected, making it more susceptible to infection.

The factors causing diabetes teeth and gum problems essentially form a triad. Research has shown that high blood sugar levels, poor oral hygiene, and a weakened immune system are key factors that contribute to dental problems in people with diabetes.

Diabetes, Teeth And Gum Problems: Signs You Need To Notice
High blood sugar levels can often get diagnosed at the dental clinic. Diabetes types 1 and 2 both present with significant dental issues that can be alarming and can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.

Let us explore some of the signs and symptoms of poor oral health related to high blood sugar levels:
Gum infection
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a common dental problem in diabetics. The culprit is the bacterial population found in dental plaque. The high blood sugar in the saliva and the dry mouth is a safe haven for them. These bacteria release toxins that can cause gum inflammation and swelling. Over time, the inflammation may cause damage to the bone and tissue supporting the teeth, which could lead to tooth loss.

Periodontitis can present as follows:

• Soggy, enlarged, and bleeding gums
• There is teeth sensitivity to cold and sweet foods.
• A dull, boring jaw pain
• A salty taste, bad breath, and receding gum line
• Spacing and gaps between the teeth

Gum diseases are more common in diabetics because the disease can weaken the immune system and make it more difficult for the body to fight off infections.

Cavities
Another dental issue that is more prevalent in diabetics is tooth decay, or dental caries, simply known as cavities. High blood sugar levels result in a dry mouth, which allows acidic foods to erode tooth enamel. Eroded enamel exposes the tooth to toxins from the bacteria that cause cavities.

Look out for the following symptoms:

• Dry mouth
• A burning sensation in the mouth
• Multiple dark spots on the tooth
• Cavities and holes in the tooth
• Toothache and sensitivity
• Small simple-like pus-filled abscesses

Tooth cavities can be very painful and can cause deadly infections in the head and neck region if left untreated.

Oral infections
Oral infections are also more common in people with diabetes. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing thrush, a fungal infection that can cause white patches in the mouth and a sore throat. They are also more likely to develop oral herpes, a viral infection that can cause painful sores on the lips or inside the mouth.

Can poor oral health lead to diabetes - here are a few ways you can control it
It's crucial for diabetics to maintain good dental health. Here are some pointers to help you keep good dental health:

Keep a daily glucose log and take the prescribed medications as directed.
The market is flooded with reliable, FDA-approved blood sugar monitoring equipment. A great way to manage your sweet tooth is to use sugar-free sweet alternatives. You'll soon see the results if you stop indulging.

Reduce blood sugar levels
Lowering blood sugar levels can lower the likelihood of having tooth issues.

Regular brushing and flossing
Good oral hygiene can help reduce plaque, stop gum disease, and guard against tooth decay. Flossing is especially important to clean all the nooks and crevices in a dry diabetic mouth.

Use mouthwash
Mouthwash can help reduce the bacteria in the mouth and prevent infections all day long. Moreover, this liquid reaches those areas where the toothbrush wouldn't.

Quit smoking
Smoking can increase the risk of gum disease and oral infections by drying the mouth and suppressing the blood supply to the gums. It is a potential poison for the gums.

Diet
Eat fewer foods that cause blood sugar to spike and drink plenty of water. Include a lot of foods high in fibre, like salads and raw fruits.

Hydrate
Dehydration concentrates the blood, resulting in a rise in blood sugar. Additionally, it lessens saliva flow, which makes the gums sore and enamel more prone to decay.

Conclusion
Maintaining good oral health ultimately helps you control your diabetes and avoid health complications linked to it. Losing teeth due to poor dental health will make it more difficult for you to follow a healthy meal plan, which is essential for managing diabetes.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.