28 February 2020
How Diabetes Affects Dental Health
The fluctuations in blood sugar levels that accompany diabetes affect more than just the body. Oral bacteria thrive on sugar and can grow faster than normal when extra sugar is available. Coupled with this is the fact that diabetics are also prone to dry mouth and this also encourages the spread of bacteria.
It is important that a dentist should be made aware of a patient’s diabetes so suitable measures can be taken to prevent simple dental issues becoming major problems. Swings in the level of blood sugar can often manifest as minor dental ailments but these should never be ignored as early intervention is the best way of preventing serious issues including gum disease which can lead to lost teeth. Symptoms that may require the attention of a dentist include:
– Dry mouth which allows bacteria and plaque to build up on the teeth
– Inflammation of the gums which often precedes gum disease
– Thrush, an oral fungal infection that commonly affects diabetics
It is a fact that “diabetics are more susceptible to oral health problems” than those without diabetes but closely monitoring blood sugar levels and following a good dental health regimen will largely negate the adverse dental effects that can accompany diabetes. Read more on this topic at https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/are-diabetics-more-susceptible-to-oral-health-problems/.