Diabetes and gum disease

Diabetes is a disease where blood sugar levels are too high. When blood sugar levels go out of control, it can cause a wide range of problems.

Almost 4 million people in the UK have diabetes and 700 new people a day are diagnosed with it. That’s about one person every two minutes.

Diabetes often causes dental problems, such as problems with your teeth and gums.

In this post, we’ll be discussing some of the dental problems associated with diabetes. We’ll also provide tips on how diabetics can look after their oral health.

Dental problems caused by diabetes

The two most common dental problems that diabetes causes are:

  • Gingivitis (gum inflammation)
  • Periodontitis (gum disease)

Gingivitis usually comes first, and if left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis.

Gingivitis

If you’re diabetic, then make sure to look out for these symptoms of gingivitis:

  • Bleeding gums: Gums that bleed, especially after brushing, is a common sign of gingivitis.
  • Red gums: Gingivitis often makes the gums turn bright red. Healthy gums, in contrast, are pink.
  • Inflammed gums: Gums that are sore and inflamed are another common sign of gingivitis.
  • Sensitive gums: Gingivitis can make your gums sensitive to touch (though not always).
  • Canker sores: Gingivitis can sometimes cause canker sores in your mouth.

Periodontitis

Diabetics also need to look out for symptoms of periodontitis.

Periodontitis has similar symptoms to gingivitis. The main symptoms of periodontitis are:

  • Bad breath: People with periodontitis often suffer from bad breath, which is caused by the bacteria that have accumulated on the gums.
  • Red gums: Like gingivitis, periodontitis can make you gums turn bright red.
  • Bleeding gums: As with gingivitis, periodontitis can make your gums.
  • Sensitive gums: Sufferers of periodontitis usually have sensitive gums.
  • Loose teeth: If you have periodontitis, you might feel like one or more of your teeth are loose.

If you think you have gingivitis and/or periodontitis, then please make an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist will be able to give a diagnosis and prescribe treatment if necessary.

Dental care for diabetics

If you’re diabetic, then taking care of your teeth doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some basic tips on how diabetics can maintain good dental care.

  • Keep your teeth clean. If you have diabetes, then it’s especially important to maintain a good dental hygiene routine. This means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. By keeping your mouth clean, you’ll prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, and other problems.
  • See a dentist regularly. We recommend that everyone sees their dentist regularly, but even more so for people with diabetes. Dental checkups are a way to catch gum disease early and prevent it from turning into a more serious problem.
  • Ask your dentist about professional cleanings. Dentists can perform professional cleanings to remove plaque from your gums. This is a great way to prevent gum disease. So if you don’t already get cleanings done regularly, ask your dentist about it.

Conclusion

Living with diabetes is hard, but at least looking after your teeth can be easy. By keeping your teeth and gums clean and by seeing a dentist regularly, you can stop diabetes from affecting your oral health.

If you’d like more information, then make an appointment with one of our friendly receptionists. We’ll be happy to advise you on how to maintain healthy gums and teeth.

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