subject: Diabetic Issues And Your Mouth [print this page] We diabetic patients should pay much more attention to our teeth and gums compared to others.
We're at increased danger of tooth decay, periodontitis or gum disease and tooth infections. Not just that, but those infections might cause our blood glucose to increase, so it turns into a vicious circle.
Here are a few mouth problems frequent in diabetic patients.
Oral plaque buildup
Oral plaque buildup is, obviously, a problem for most people, not just diabetics. But it's caused by starchy foods and sugars, and of course we have more than our share of those! So diabetics are extremely susceptible to oral plaque buildup.
Dry mouth
Occasionally my mouth is so dry in the morning I can barely speak-I'm sure you know how that can feel. But it's not just annoying, it's unsafe to the health of our mouths. The thing is, saliva flushes aside a lot of the bacteria that cause tooth decay and periodontitis or gum disease. Dry mouth cuts the amount of saliva available for this task, therefore the result is more tooth decay and periodontitis or gum disease. Dry mouth sometimes also produces irritation of the soft tissue within the mouth, making eating tough and unpleasant.
Although you will find artificial saliva alternatives, which your dental professional can let you know about, it is possible to usually stimulate your own saliva by sucking on a sugar-free hard candy. I like no-sugar-added Ricola for this function. And lastly, normal water helps.
Fungal infections
Not only do we diabetics have much less saliva than we need, but the saliva we have is elevated in sugar content, so it's double trouble for us. This may spark a fungal infection called candiasis, often called thrush. It produces sore white or red spots in the mouth. Medicine might help though, so ask your dental professional.
As a diabetic, you have to pay great attention to oral hygiene. Clean your the teeth twice a day, and floss daily. Look at your gums for signs of difficulties-and constantly visit your dentist at least twice annually.
