Oral health of people with diabetes

Oral health of people with diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, diabetes mellitushas become a fairly common health problem, affecting people of all ages.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia), induced by insufficient insulin secretion or insulin resistance.

Diabetes mellitus it is a disease that can affect your whole body, including the oral cavity and everything related to tooth, gum and bone diseases.

Oral diseases not treated in time can lead to serious complications, especially in patients with chronic diseases. Thus, if you are among the patients with diabetesyou know that you will have to pay more attention to your teeth and gums.

Recent scientific studies have confirmed a close relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontitis – the main cause of tooth loss and therefore the cause of a serious deficiency related to the consequent loss of masticatory functions and the aesthetics of the smile.

A study found that dental disease and poor oral hygiene were associated with an increased risk of heart failure among people with diabetes, and the authors suggested that managing oral health can prevent the development of heart failure. The authors also showed that periodontitis exacerbates the progression of chronic kidney disease, a disorder that affects 1 in 3 people with diabetes.

According to specialists, patients with diabetes experience gum disease much more often than people who do not suffer from this disease. The reason being that germs multiply faster in the presence of larger amounts of glucose. Thus, patients with diabetes are subject to dental hygiene checks more frequently, the period varying from 3 to 6 months.

Diabetes requires special attention, as the teeth and gums deteriorate more easily, resulting in infections that, in turn, can increase blood sugar.

Researchers argue that diabetes worsens periodontitis, and this affects glycemic control. If gingivitis occurs, those who suffer from diabetes must immediately contact the dentist. Early treatment prevents the spread of inflammation and thus the onset of the disease.

What are the problems of the oral cavity in people with diabetes?

Specialists draw attention to the most common problems in the oral cavity, for patients with diabetes mellitusamong which are: dry mouth (frequent sensation of dry mouth, accompanied by permanent thirst), inflammation of the gums – the gums are red, inflamed and bleeding, these being the first signs of a gum disease, slow healing of the tissues in the oral cavity, oral candidiasis – an infection of the mouth and throat caused by a fungus (the first signs are the appearance of spots or white areas on the tongue), burning sensation in the mouth and/or tongue.

When the first symptoms of this kind appear, it is important that the patient goes to the dentist.

How can these problems of the oral cavity be solved?

The patient with diabetes must take into account a series of general recommendations for prevention or improvement, if the disease is already established so that oral health does not suffer, but also to avoid that certain problems worsen over time.

The following are recommended measures and practices; maintaining blood sugar at a normal level, following the medication prescribed by the diabetologist, exercising at least 30 minutes a day, avoiding alcohol and smoking (all the more important if the patient is over 45 years old), informing the dentist about the disease ( diabetes), as well as providing other essential details (past oral or dental conditions, interventions and family history of conditions), before going to the dental consultation, it is recommended to have a main meal, according to the diabetic diet, maintain hygiene good oral hygiene (including brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and gum disease toothpaste, flossing and/or using an oral irrigator twice a day), going to the dentist for routine check-ups every 6 months or annually.

What are the symptoms you should not ignore?

If you present any of these symptoms, it is important to go to the dentist as soon as possible: gingival bleeding recurrent or the gums are visibly inflamed and painful when chewing food or brushing with a toothbrush, oral infections frequent (can also be about frequent mouth ulcers), bad breath that doesn’t go away after brushing your teeth.

How do you prevent oral problems if you have diabetes?

It is very important to have good oral hygiene, to avoid oral infections which, untreated, can lead to particularly serious local and general complications.

If you are already diagnosed with diabetes, go regularly for a complete dental check-up, to detect early any kind of change in the periodontal tissues.

It is recommended to visit the dentist every 6 months or whenever needed.

Brush your teeth after every meal (at least twice a day), use mouthwash and floss daily to prevent periodontal disease and bacteria growth. Wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth to protect tooth enamel, which is more sensitive after exposure to acidic substances in food.

See your doctor right away if you have halitosis (bad breath), toothache, bleeding gums, sores, and talk to your dentist about how to maintain good oral health.

Symptoms of dry mouth can be quite distressing and drinking water (frequent sips) is recommended, sugar-free chewing gum is also helpful.

If wearing dentures, make sure they fit and do not cause friction or injury to the oral cavity. Remove and clean them daily, thus preventing the risk of infections through the accumulation of bacteria. Ask your dentist how you can keep your dentures clean.

Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash, preferably without alcohol or chemical flavors, as alcohol and flavored essences can contribute to dehydrating the oral cavity.

Diet plays an important role in the health of the oral cavity, both in people with diabetes and in people without health problems. Carbonated drinks and sugary foods are the main enemies of teeth and gum health, along with poor oral hygiene. It is important to adapt the diet in accordance with the treatment and the recommendations of the attending physician, but also take into account the foods that can harm the teeth.

It is recommended that after a period of 6 months or a maximum of one year, you perform a complete cleaning of the oral cavity (descaling and professional brushing). Thus, by removing tartar, numerous diseases of the teeth and gums can be prevented.

An important step is to quit smoking. If you are having a hard time quitting or don’t know how to do it, talk to your doctor about ways to help you achieve your goal.

It is essential to keep blood sugar within normal limits, without large fluctuations throughout the day.

Bibliography

Cleveland Clinic – Oral Health Problems and Diabetes

What’s the Connection Between Diabetes and Oral Health? – Medscape – February 29, 2024