Many individuals are unaware of the link between diabetes and dental health. Dental health can be impacted by diabetes, which can affect the entire body. Diabetes patients are more likely than average to experience more oral health issues, which can worsen their overall health.
Diabetes increases the risk of oral health issues, thus, prevention is essential, and adopting a healthy lifestyle should always be the first defense. Contact a dentist in Powell, TN, to know more about dental health associated with diabetes.
Links between Diabetes and oral health
High blood sugar is the primary factor contributing to the link between developing dental health issues and diabetes. A bad blood sugar level or uncontrolled diabetes decreases the white blood cells naturally within the body. White blood cells are the primary defense against bacterial infections that can develop in the mouth. According to research, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels lowers the chance of significant organ issues associated with diabetes, such as heart, eye, and nerve damage.
Oral health conditions associated with diabetes
- Dry mouth
If the condition of diabetes cannot be regulated, the flow of saliva (spit) will decrease, resulting in a dry mouth. Although it may seem common, dry mouth can cause or contribute to other conditions, including discomfort, ulcers, infections, and tooth decay if left untreated.
- Gum inflammation and periodontitis
Periodontitis and gum inflammation (gingivitis) are also symptoms of diabetes, which can also cause the blood vessels to expand and weaken your white blood cells. The flow of nutrients necessary for proper functioning and eliminating waste materials from essential body tissues, particularly the mouth, will slow down if the blood vessels thicken. Together, these factors make the body weaker and less capable of fighting infections.
- Poor healing of oral tissues
Diabetic patients do not recover faster from oral surgery or other dental operations because the blood supply to the treatment site is frequently compromised or impaired. This results in poor healing of the mouth tissues. Smoking prevents blood flow to the gums, which may also disrupt the repair of sensitive tissue regions, increasing your risk for dental disease if you have diabetes.
- Thrush
Diabetic people are more likely to get mouth and tongue fungal infections due to the quantity and variety of medications they use. The possibility of developing a fungus infection also increases with denture use. The high glucose levels resulting from saliva are the reason that fungal infections may develop in the mouth. An uncomfortable burning feeling in the mouth and/or tongue is a symptom that is brought on by the presence of thrush.