5 Ways to Avoid Problems with Your Oral Health with Type 2 Diabetes

I bring this up because I am having dental work done to make sure I keep all my teeth until I shuffle off the mortal coil. Besides the role our teeth play in breaking down food, they also give shape to our face, allow us to speak clearly and allow us to smile with confidence.

We've talked about complications before – all a result of poorly controlled blood sugar. You know about blindness, potential amputation of feet and lower limbs and kidney dialysis in addition to heart attack and stroke.

You may not realize it but your oral health is at risk with uncontrolled diabetes. Most of us do not love to see a dentist but it is important to see one regularly when you have diabetes. How often is that? Depends on the degree of your oral health.

Here are some problems you want to watch for and have your dentist check:

First is periodontal disease also known as gum disease.

With periodontal disease, your gums will look swollen. They are likely to bleed when you brush and floss. That's going to lead to pain and chewing difficulties. Eventually it can lead to tooth loss. Tooth loss causes a host of problems such as trouble chewing food, inflammation and infection, the risk of losing more teeth and straight teeth becoming crooked.

Second is dry mouth. Dry mouth is a common symptom of high blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Saliva in the mouth does a lot of stuff. There are pH buffers and enzymes which help begin the breakdown of carbohydrates. Saliva also contains calcium for remineralization of your teeth and bones. There are also some components of your immune system in saliva. Why? Because your mouth is your first line of defense to ward off critters that cause infection.

When your saliva is low and you have dry mouth, you can see that this creates a lot of problems. This includes soreness, mouth ulcers, cracked lips, painful infection, difficulty chewing and tooth decay.

Third is thrush.

If you had young children, at some point, you probably know something about this. Thrush is a fungal infection in the mouth that can occur in other places as well. Thrush in the mouth leads to white patches that are very painful.

These complications happen for two reasons. One, because when your blood sugar is high, you will have more sugar in your bloodstream. Two, you'll also have more sugar in your saliva. Your teeth and gums are then exposed to a lot of sugar. We all have small amounts of this fungus (Candida) in our mouths but it is held in check by other elements of your saliva. With diabetes and reduced saliva, the fungus will grow as it loves sugar. Then the infections come.

Fourth, people who have diabetes have slower healing time. If you get a cut, bite or wound, you'll notice it takes a long time to heal. When you have tooth or gum problems, because of the high blood sugar, it could make oral problems worse.

Here is what you can do:

• First, the most important thing you can do is get your blood sugar under control.

• Second, see your dentist for any problems with your mouth. Tell her/him you have diabetes. Because you need your gums intact to hold your teeth in place, you might be referred to a periodontist to monitor and heal gum disease. For dry mouth and for thrush, there are medicines that your dentist or doctor can give you.

• Third, when you get up in the morning, drink between eight and 16 ounces of water. Drink it before you brush your teeth. That will help hydrate your body because you haven't had anything to drink all night. It's also going to wash away a lot of the bacteria that's built up in your mouth overnight.

• Fourth, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss every day.

• Fifth, if you are a smoker, do everything in your power to stop.

See your dentist on a regular basis for checkups and cleanings. I know it's not fun. I know some people have real issues with going to the dentist; my brother is one of them. But you will be so much happier, healthier and smile more if you take care of your oral health!

Dr Elaine

Download my free 30 Day Guide to Manage or Reverse Type 2 Diabetes 

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

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