Diabetes, Oral and Dental Health

Diabetes, Oral and Dental Health

Diabetes affects about 16 million people in the United States and 80,000 new cases are detected almost every year. If you have diabetes, you are aware of the health problems that this disease causes that affects your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. Diabetes weakens the body's resistance to inflammation as it delays the speed of healing.

• 1

  Is there a relationship between diabetes and gum disease?

  Recent studies confirm a link between diabetes and gum disease. One of the most likely people to develop gum disease are the diabetic but these recent studies have recently shown that chronic gum disease poses a high risk of diabetes.
• 2

  How is this relationship achieved?

  Gum disease causes bacteria to enter the body's circulation. The immune system fights bacteria and their toxic residues. The immune system of diabetics also mistakenly attacks the cells of the body itself thinking they are strange bacterial cells to the body. These cells that may be affected in the body include those in the pancreas as they are responsible for the production of insulin hormone. In this case, people with gum disease may be at risk of developing diabetes indirectly even if they do not suffer from symptoms or factors for diabetes throughout their lives. The Surgeon-general’s Report on Oral and Dental Health emphasizes that the safety of the mouth and teeth ensures the health and wellness of the entire body. Therefore, you should brush and floss your teeth and check with your doctor regularly to avoid any problems with your teeth or gums.
• 3

  How a diabetic can avoid gum and tooth disease?

  • Controlling blood sugar is one of the most important preventive factors
  • Take care of the cleanliness of your teeth and gums and visit the dentist every 6 months.
  • Refrain from smoking.
  • Remove and clean dentures daily, if used.
• 4

  What is the importance of salivary glands for oral and dental health?

  Saliva helps wash the mouth and rid it of fine food particles. It also plays an important role in maintaining oral moisture. Lack of saliva in the mouth contributes to the growth of bacteria. Dry mouth is a common condition among people with diabetes and cancer, especially those undergoing treatment with radiation in the head and neck. Persistent dry mouth damages thin oral tissues and usually causes severe pain as a result of inflammation and irritation. It also plays a major role in increasing the chances of tooth decay and inflammation of the teeth-supporting gum tissue.

  
  

  A dentist may prescribe an alternative to dry mouth to produce saliva in the mouth that can relieve dry mouth. In some cases, your dentist recommends oral wash using a fluoride wash or a specific topical treatment to provide the mouth with fluoride at home or in his clinic to help avoid severe tooth decay. These products are available in pharmacies and can be purchased without the need for prescriptions.

• 5

  What do a diabetic patient expect from their dentist during a visit? Should they tell the doctor about their condition?

  With the help of a diabetic, the dentist will be able to be ready to provide the care and treatment needed by the patient, where diabetics have special needs to be provided.

  Therefore, a diabetic should tell your dentist about any changes or disorders in your health and also tell him what medications you are taking.

  
  

  This is in addition to postponing any non-emergency dental operations if the blood glucose is unstable.

• 6

  The habits listed below contribute significantly to alleviating the severity of dry mouth and reducing the aggravation of the problem

  • Use sugar-free gum
  • Use of sugar-free mint products
  • Drink enough water or eat quick-dissolving ice flakes
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol intake

  

  Since dry mouth causes tooth decay and inflammation of the gum tissues supporting the teeth, it is very important to provide home oral and dental care.