Can diabetes affect teeth

Can diabetes affect teeth is a common enough question that we are asked at Hungarian Dentists Wexford, patients with diabetes will have irregular levels of blood glucose.

As a consequence they are in the higher risk category to have problems with their teeth, gum disease is prevalent compared to patients that aren’t diabetic.

The reason for the increased risk is because of lower resistance to infection where healing can take longer than normal.

Diabetes-two types

Anyone with diabetes will know that there are two types, diabetes mellitus is the more common and is divided into two separate categories:

Type 1 is more commonly found during childhood or young adulthood, the only treatment is insulin injections or medications.

Type 1 diabetes occurs because the immune system destroys cells in the body called beta-cells of the pancreas that make insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is a slow developing condition that begins in adulthood, although progressive exercise and diet can help to keep it under control.

However more often than not type 2 diabetes requires medicine and insulin injections or a combination of both.

Both types of diabetes can affect teeth, so its important to pay great attention to one’s dental care and oral health, not to mention keeping blood sugar levels within the target range.

If you are diabetic and need more help or you recognise the symptoms associated with how can diabetes affect teeth call Fintan on 0873490104 for a further consultation with our Hungarian dentists in Wexford.

Be aware of changes in the mouth

Because diabetes affects up to 10% of the Irish population its important for those with the condition to be aware of changes in the mouth, early diagnosis leads to earlier treatment.

What to look out for

Can diabetes affect teeth, yes it CAN, here are the most common oral health issues associated with diabetes:

• Tooth decay
• Gum or periodontal disease
• Mouth ulcers
• Burning or dry mouth low levels of saliva
• Gum abcess
• Fungal infections such as lichen plants (inflammatory autoimmune skin condition) thrush or candidiasis
• A disturbance in taste
• Pus or continuous discharge from the gums
• Loose teeth
• Spaces between teeth opening up
• Loose gums that are pulling away from the teeth

Tooth decay from diabetes 

Tooth decay is quite common in diabetes patients because the increased blood sugar/glucose levels in saliva mean that many will suffer from dry mouth.

These conditions are not ideal and can lead to a build up of dental plaque in the surrounding teeth causing tooth decay and tooth cavities.

It is possible to get rid of dental plaque by brushing twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste, brush gently over the gums, by brushing too hard can harm the gums and cause gum loss.

Floss your teeth each day using interdental cleaner or use dental floss between the teeth, by taking good care of your teeth you can help in the prevention of gum disease and cavities.

If you are diabetic and need more help or you recognise the symptoms associated with how can diabetes affect teeth call Fintan on 0873490104 for a further consultation with our Hungarian dentists in Wexford.

Gum or periodontal disease

Gum or periodontal disease come about when infection enters the gums, the infection can destroy the surrounding jawbone that support the teeth, this is another example of how can diabetes affect teeth.

This jawbone is very important because it actually keeps your teeth secure and allows you to bite and chew normally and comfortably.

Food debris and bacteria are called dental plaque, when combined they promote gum disease.

If the dental plaque isn’t removed from teeth and gums, it will become harder and turn into tartar or calculus, the gums become irritated by the plaque or calculus causing swelling, redness, and they will bleed.

Just some examples of how can diabetes affect teeth, as the gum disease gets worse the underlying bone loses its shape and disappears, teeth start to become loose and may fall out or have to be extracted.

If you are diabetic and need more help or you recognise the symptoms associated with how can diabetes affect teeth call Fintan on 0873490104 for a further consultation with our Hungarian dentists in Wexford.

In patients that have unsatisfactory or suboptimal levels of blood glucose gum disease will be more prevalent because in general they have a lower resistance level to infections and their gums take longer to heal.

Looking after blood glucose levels is always a priority for diabetes patients, it does help with gum disease, however gum disease can be treated and blood sugar levels can improve as a result.

Mouth ulcers diabetes

Another example to the question can diabetes affect teeth are mouth ulcers, certain conditions brought on by diabetes can cause mouth ulcers to form, an example would be a dry mouth, causing lower resistance to infections, creating the conditions for oral thrush.

Oral thrush tends to be extremely uncomfortable visible by ulcerated red or white patches on the skin of the mouth, by keeping blood glucose levels within the normal range and using good mouth hygiene can keep oral thrush at bay.

Prescription anti fungal medications may be used in severe cases.

Burning or dry mouth low saliva levels

Burning or dry mouth is yet another example of can diabetes affect teeth, patients with high blood glucose diabetes are commonly found to have burning or dry mouth symptoms.

Its important to speak to a professional dentist about this condition because if left untreated it can cause oral health problems for example, infections and gum disease.

Gum abcess

Gum abcess or dental abcess occurs when pus collects and forms inside the teeth, or inside the gums, or it CSN collect in the jawbone where the teeth are held in place.

The cause is a bacterial infection, depending on the location of the abcess it is called a periodical (end of the tooth) or periodontal abcess (in the gum).

A dental gum abcess can be very painful but not always, you need to see a dentist if these symptoms are present:

• Swelling or redness in the face
• A discoloured, tender and or loose tooth
• Red, swollen and shiny gums
• Ear pain spreading from the jaw, into the neck, and on the side where the affected tooth or gum is.
• A thumping, intense pain in the affected gum or tooth that arrives all of a sudden and progressively gets worse.
• Your mouth is sensitive to hot, cold food or drink
• An unpleasant taste or bad breath.
• A high temperature may develop if the infection spreads
• In some cases it may be difficult to swallow or to breathe

Conclusion

I hope that you are now clearer on your question can diabetes affect teeth, diabetes can affect teeth and gums in a number of ways, none of them are good for your oral health.

If you are diabetic and find that you have any or some of the above symptoms it’s time to call us at Hungarian Dentists Wexford where our experienced Hungarian dentists Dr Eda or Dr Tamas are on hand every four weeks to help you with impartial dental advice.

References

https://www.diabetes.ie/about-us/diabetes-in-ireland/

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mouth/dental-abscess/#:~:text=A dental abscess is a,is called a periodontal abscess