Dental Care for Diabetics

Everyone should give proper attention to their dental and oral hygiene. Aside from regular visits to the dentist, everyone should know and practice the proper ways in taking care of the teeth and gums.

Those with diabetes, however, should give extra attention to taking care of their mouths. To have high glucose level could mean development of bacteria. This provides an even more supply of sugars and starches. This could lead to more production of acid. And this increases the risk of cavity or tooth decay.

Researches show a correlation between deep pockets of infection between the teeth and gums and glucose tolerance status. Serious gum disease could be a result of bacteria in deep pockets in the mouth.

There are certain conditions that diabetics should be cautious about. Dry mouth is one. Known as xerostomia, this occurs when salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. Saliva actually has a role in washing away bacteria. If there is not enough saliva, cavities and gum disease can start.

Other than cavities and gum disease, a dry mouth can cause tissues in the mouth to become inflamed and sore. In effect, this might lead to difficulty in chewing, tasting and swallowing. Diabetes is a condition that could actually be managed by proper diet. But if there would be difficulty with eating, including reduce interest in eating, controlling the blood sugar may be more difficult to do.

To help ease concerns about a dry mouth, you may get sugar-free candies or gums. These can relieve discomfort and dryness. Chewing may produce more saliva. It is advisable to just allow mints or sugarless candies to be dissolved in the mouth. Inquire from the dentists about artificial saliva substitutes to help lubricate the mouth. Also, take a lot of water to avoid dryness. Keep a glass of water by the bed for dryness during the night or upon waking up.

Diabetics should be careful of fungal infection. Normally there is fungus inside the mouth, and this does not really create serious concerns. But when a person has diabetes, the extra-sugar in the saliva as well as the deficiency of the amount of saliva allow the fungus to cause an infection called candidiasis or thrush. This looks like white patches in the mouth. Anti-fungal medication has to be taken to treat the fungus. Eating a diet consisting primarily of green, fresh vegetables can also give relief.

Burning mouth syndrome is another effect of dry mouth and candidiasis. This condition is described as severe burning and pain in the tongue, roof of the mouth, the gums, inside of the cheeks, and/or back of the mouth or throat. Usually no visible sores are seen, although there are instances when the tissues look slightly reddened.

Since it is usually an effect of dry mouth and candidiasis, treating these conditions can alleviate the symptoms. Medications can help relieve the pain. For some, using a baking soda based toothpaste and mouthwash would be effective.

Diabetes may also cause an unpleasant "fruity-sweet" smelling breath. This is caused by the disease itself as a result of the body's natural defense against decreased glucose use. Although there is no permanent treatment for this, those who experience this may use a mint-flavored mouthwash and chew sugarless gums.

It is important to remember that the risks of oral-related diabetes complications do not stop at the mouth. Obviously, the mouth is the "gateway" to the rest of the body, so bacteria in the mouth may lead to greater risk for the bacteria to get into the bloodstream. This could lead to more widespread infections. Any infection may have a significant effect on diabetes control.

Therefore, do not neglect doing regular visits to the dentist. This means making appointments every 6 months for your dental health. Brush and floss the proper way. These are important tools in fighting bacteria that can cause a lot of damage. Watch out for signs. If you experience gum bleeding, and abnormal changes in the mouth such as soreness, sores and tenderness, quickly inform your dentist.

Stay away from cigarettes. Smoking as it is, is already known to be dangerous to your health. But to combine it with diabetes is making things worse.

Lastly, never forget that proper nutrition is essential to managing diabetes. If you control your glucose level, there would be a significant effect on your periodontal condition.