Dental health problems associated with diabetes
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Do you know diabetes causes ache, infection and other complications in your mouth? Your mouth involves teeth, gums, jaw, and tissues like tongue, the roof, and the ground of your mouth, and the interior of your cheeks.
Diabetic reasons that cause oral problems
1) Higher glucose level
Glucose will be located in your saliva and when diabetes is not regulated, the glucose level that is high in your saliva assists harmful bacteria to grow. These bacteria integrate with food and form a squishy and gummy film called plaque. They also come from consuming foods that have sugar or starches. These plaques produces tooth decay or cavities, gum diseases, and bad breath.
2) Improper pH balance
For the peoples with diabetes, the proper balance between health and disease-causing bacterium will be affected by glucose management, good oral hygiene, and planning of food. Foods that contain fermentable carbohydrates such as cookies can affect the pH balance in the oral space leading to bacterial formation and this turns to dental plaque. This dental plaque can cause periodontal and gum disease.
Some problems caused in the mouth due to diabetes are
1) Gingivitis
It is unhealthy or inflamed gums that include symptoms such as red, swollen and bleeding gums.
2) Periodontitis
This is a gum disease caused by bacteria that is responsible for tooth decay. They change from gentle to severe conditions. They include symptoms such as red, swollen and bleeding gums and if you are infected between the teeth and gums it will be long-lasting. Bad breath and loose teeth are some of the other symptoms. There will be a difference in the way your teeth fit together while you bite.
3) Candidiasis
This is a naturally occurring fungus or yeast that our body can’t control and is problematic when there is a chronic presence of higher level of sugar in the mouth or body. They can be caused by wearing dentures, smoking, high glucose levels, higher sugar in the diet and antibiotic usage. Their symptoms include sore, white or occasionally red spots on your gums, cheeks, tongue, or at the roof of your mouth. These patches will turn into open sores.
4) Xerostomia
This occurs when there is a lack of saliva in your mouth. When there is a reduction of saliva there will be a risk for gum infection and tooth decay. They include symptoms such as dry mouth, rough tongue, pain in mouth, cracked lips, sore or infection in the mouth, and problems in speech, swallowing, chewing and eating.
5) Delayed healing after any treatment
Patients who have poorly managed diabetes suffers from delayed healing after dental cleaning (scaling and root planning), and tooth cleaning. There will be a failure in dental implants during implant placement.
6) Burning sensation in the mouth
Due to the uncontrolled level in blood glucose, a burning sensation in the mouth can occur. The symptoms include a burning feeling in the mouth and dryness in the mouth. You will also have taste impairments and bitterness in the mouth.
Common symptoms of problems in your mouth
- Your teeth become looser
- Getting pain while chewing food
- Sore or ulcer in mouth for a long period
- Bad breath that doesn’t leave even after brushing
- Change of taste sense or bad taste
- Dark spot in the teeth
