6 Oral Problems You Can Face If You Have Diabetes

December 14, 2019

Oral Health Care and Diabetes
Oral complications in a patient suffering from diabetes mellitus can be
devastating. These may include periodontitis, gingivitis, candidiasis, dental
caries, tooth loss, lichen planus, neurosensory disorders(burning mouth syndrome),
salivary gland dysfunction and xerostomia and taste impairment.

ORAL IMMUNOLOGIC AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN DIABETES

Periodontal disease:- It is well documented that periodontal disease is one of the
main reason for tooth loss among individuals with diabetes. Also, severe
periodontitis may increase the risk of poor glycemic control.
Salivary gland dysfunction:- salivary function is very important for the
maintenance of oral and systemic health. Reduced salivary function leads to dry
mouth (xerostomia), which eventually cause dental caries due to reduced buffering
action of saliva.
Dental caries:- It is very important to know that patients with Diabetes mellitus
are susceptible to other oral conditions, such as periodontitis, salivary gland
disorders as already discussed above.
Oral mucosal disease:- Diabetes is also associated with the development of certain
oral soft tissue lesions. These associations may be due to chronic
immunosuppression, delayed healing and/or salivary gland dysfunction.
Neuropathy consequences in the oral cavity:- A common complaint among Diabetes
mellitus patients is burning mouth syndrome in which usually clinical and
laboratory findings are absent. Taste impairment has also been associated with the
development of obesity and has been reported during diabetes.

SPECIAL ORAL HEALTH CARE IN DIABETES MELLITUS

To help prevent damage to your teeth and gums, take diabetes and dental care
seriously:

Commit to managing your diabetes. Monitor your blood sugar level and follow your
doctor’s instructions for keeping your blood sugar within your target range.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Ideally brushing should be done after meals
and snacks also apart from morning and night.

Use a soft-bristled brush and toothpaste that contains fluoride.

Floss your teeth at least once a day. It helps remove plaque between your teeth and
under the gum line.

Schedule regular dental visits. Visit your best dental clinic at least twice a year
for professional cleanings, X-rays and checkups.

Make sure your dentist knows that you have diabetes.

MANAGEMENT OF DIABETIC PATIENTS AT DENTAL PLANET

We at DENTAL PLANET, employ specialized types of equipment and technologies to
overcome the hindrances caused by various medical conditions including diabetes
mellitus.

Tooth extractions:-

DRY SOCKET is the main complication which might occur after tooth extraction.
Delayed healing is the underlying cause of this condition. It is in our practice to
take care of the well being of our patients.
To overcome these complications we have the facility of PRF(Platelet-rich fibrin)
technology during extractions which helps in better healing of the wound
and underlying bone.

We also have a BONE GRAFTING technique which is used in our regular practice.

Tooth rehabilitation procedures:-

Before planning any kind of surgery we ensure the blood sugar level is under
control. We ask our patients to get their recent blood sugar reports along with
them otherwise we have our in house glucometer so that we can check blood sugar
level chairside.

We, at DENTAL PLANET, use the best technologies for implant surgery which is
globally accepted. There is a range of BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE implants designed
especially for diabetics. These implants have properties of enhancing the healing
after the surgery. Normally 3-4 months are required for proper and complete healing
but with these implants, it is possible within 1-2 months.

Sterilization:-

We also take sterilization procedures very seriously to avoid any kind of

cross infections because we understand the seriousness of the consequences
occurring in Diabetes mellitus.

Medications:-

There no injudicious use of antibiotics in our practice. Overuse of antibiotics may

lead to fulminating infection in diabetes. And we advise our patient to visit our
clinic for regular checkups and a professional cleaning to avoid later consequences
which might occur.

STIGMAS OF DENTAL TREATMENT IN DIABETICS

Some of the commonly encountered questions by our patients suffering from diabetes
mellitus in DENTAL PLANET:

Can we get our dental treatment done if I have diabetes?

It depends. If you have controlled diabetes you can surely go for nearly all dental
treatment. In cases of uncontrolled diabetes, blood-related procedures are avoided.

Can I get my tooth extracted if I am diabetic?

In controlled diabetes mellitus cases, extraction of a tooth can be easily done.

Some complications may arise in uncontrolled diabetes.

Do I require cleaning more often?

Very much. We advise that a clinical evaluation is necessary for every 3 months in
patients who are suffering from diabetes.

Can I safely go for implant surgery?

We at DENTAL PLANET recommend a complete haemogram of the patient undergoing

surgery.

Are medicines which are provided by doctors after treatment safe?

Antibiotic coverage is very important especially in diabetic patients so avoid
infections and definitely, it is safe.

How often should I visit the dental clinic?

Regular follow-ups are very important in diabetes mellitus cases. So it is advised

to visit us once in every 3 months.

..........................................................................

DIABETES is a serious condition that causes a person's blood sugar levels to become
dangerously high.

Typical symptoms of the disease include needing to pee more than usual and sudden
weight loss.

The 6 red flag signs of diabetes you can find in your mouth
2
The 6 red flag signs of diabetes you can find in your mouth
One expert has said you can also spot the silent killer in your mouth.

Dr Rizwan Mahmood, a dentist from Ruh Dental, London, said regularly checking your
mouth while brushing can help you catch diabetes early.

He said: “It’s wise to be aware of any changes in the mouth.

"If you notice anything untoward, see your dentist or medical practitioner."

The condition can often go undetected and can be hard to spot, as signs can be
brushed off as something else.

Gum disease
Dr Rizwan said those with diabetes are at a higher risk of gum disease, medically
know as periodontal disease, and for these patients it can be much more severe.

"This is inflammation in the gums and the bones around your teeth," he said.

As easy way to spot this is to floss: if flossing between your teeth makes you
bleed, you could be suffering from periodontal disease.

Gum disease can also cause bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, and even tooth
loss, he explained.

According to the British Society of Periodontology, gum disease affects around 55

per cent of people and not everyone will have diabetes.

The condition can also be the result of not brushing correctly.

Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth, the NHS says.

If you do not remove plaque from your teeth by brushing and cleaning in between
them regularly, it builds up and irritates your gums.

Dry mouth
Diabetes can cause a dry mouth because of a lack of saliva.

Saliva helps to control bacteria levels, and also balances and washes away acid
around teeth and gums.

Having a dry mouth, otherwise known xerostomia, can lead to several oral issues,
including ulceration and tooth decay, the expert explained.

He added: "You are also prone to developing oral thrush as it can impact the way
your body fights off infections.

"This can put your gums at risk of inflammation because of the bacteria living in
plaque."

He said it was important to speak to GP if your dry mouth won't go away.

Fruity breath
Having fruity smelling breath is another key sign of the disease.

The NHS describes the "fruity" breath as smelling like pear drop sweets, or nail
varnish.

"This is known as diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a dangerous and potentially life-

threatening condition in which your blood sugar is so high it starts turning
acidic," the expert explained.

It can occasionally affect people who do not have diabetes, but usually it only
occurs in people who are seriously ill, such as those who have recently had a
stroke or heart attack, or have a severe infection.

People with type 2 diabetes in particular are three times more likely to have
problems with their oral health than those who don't have the condition, dentist
and clinical director at Bupa Dental Care, Dr Sarah Ramage, previously told The
Sun.

There are a record five million people thought to have type 1 or type 2 diabetes in
the UK - and of these 850,000 don’t know they have it.

Type 1 diabetes means the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that
produce insulin.

Type 2 is when the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not
react to insulin.

Untreated, diabetes can lead to long-term complications, such as heart disease,

kidney damage, vision loss or even death.'

.......................................................................

Diabetes vs. Gum Disease: The Battle for Your Oral Health

Diabetes and Oral Health: Life with diabetes

As any diabetic would tell you, living with diabetes requires a few lifestyle
changes to better improve you’re overall sense of well-being. These changes
include; strict dietary alterations, regular exercise or physical activity, and of
course daily dosages of insulin and or other medications. Many experts consider
life with diabetes to be something of a balancing act between managing these
lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy blood glucose level.
Despite these challenges, once familiar with this routine, many diabetics go on to
live happy successful lives with few issues or complications. However in order to
achieve this happy balanced life, you must take the time to educate yourself on the
some of the pitfalls that have occurred in diabetics in the past. One such concern
is diabetes and oral health, and although it may be easy to overlook, maintaining
proper oral health is one such issue that no diabetic can afford to ignore.

Diabetes and Oral Health: The Oral Interaction

To put it simply; you’re teeth affect you’re diabetes; and at same time, you’re
diabetes affects your teeth. Although this may sound silly, it is important to
understand this concept as failure to properly care for one, will almost certainly
end up affecting the other. This interaction between diabetes and oral health
often comes in the form of periodontal or gum disease. In many ways gum disease is
a major enemy for diabetics everywhere. At Adams Dental Group, Dr. Travis A.
Roberts and his professionally trained team work closely with their patients. If
you have a health problem, like diabetes, Dr. Roberts will work with you closely to
monitor your dental care; as the clash between diabetes and gum disease can
certainly lead to disastrous results.

Diabetes and Oral Health: How Diabetes Interacts

If left unchecked or poorly managed, diabetes will result in elevated levels of
glucose or sugar to circulate throughout your body, including your mouth. With this
heightened level of glucose, your mouth begins to build up an excessive amount
bacteria, thus creating the ideal setting for an infection like gum disease to
develop.

Diabetes and Oral Health: How Gum Disease Interacts

Gum disease is a progressive bacterial infection within the gums tissue that if
neglected, can severely damage or destroy both your gums and teeth. Gum disease
starts when bacteria on your teeth harden into tartar that only your dentist can
clear away.

Like any serious infection, gum disease can potentially affect the blood glucose
level of those afflicted; making them increasingly difficult to control and
ultimately cause the diabetes to exponentially progress.

Diabetes is also linked to tooth loss, especially over the age of 50; mainly
because people with diabetes are more prone to periodontal disease.

Diabetes and Oral Health: When to see your dentist

As mentioned previously, diabetics have a predominantly higher likelihood of
developing periodontal disease (gum disease). Therefore the ability to recognize
and identify any of the tell-tail signs and symptoms is extremely important for
those at risk.

Symptoms of gum disease may include:

Receding or swollen gums

Presence of blood while brushing
Painful or loose areas around your teeth
If you have been experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should consider
contacting Adams Dental Group as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to see
Dr. Roberts, as these seemingly minor nuisances may be more serious then they
appear.

Diabetes and Oral Health: Daily Dental Care Tips

Periodontal disease can lead to painful chewing difficulties and even tooth loss.
Dry mouth, often a symptom of undetected diabetes, can cause soreness, ulcers,
infections, and tooth decay. Follow these daily dental care tips and work closely
with Dr. Roberts and his team:

Brush your teeth after every meal

Wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing to protect any tooth enamel
that’s been softened by acid in the food.
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles
Floss at least once a day
Mouthwash:
If you have a dry mouth, try a mouthwash without alcohol
Rinse daily with an antiseptic mouthwash
If you wear dentures, remove them and clean them daily
Do not sleep in your dentures.
If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit, as smoking makes these
problems worse
Also, avoid sugary snacks, which can cause tooth decay. Instead, reach for crunchy
foods like apples, celery, and carrots that will actually clean your teeth as your
chew.

Diabetes and Oral Health: Future Prevention and What to Avoid

Obviously one of the best ways for any patient with diabetes to prevent or reduce
any possible diabetic problems, both oral and otherwise is to schedule necessary
six-month checkups with Dr. Roberts at Adams Dental Group. They should do this in
addition to making appointments with their general medical practitioners. However
it’s important not to overlook the basics of diabetes and oral health. Simply
taking the time to ensure that your blood glucose levels are healthy and your teeth
are properly cleaned can make all the difference in the world! When it comes to
diabetes, no one likes complications, so keep things simple by practicing routine
diabetic and oral care.

Travis A. Roberts and his experienced, friendly team at Adams Dental Group offer
affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Kansas City, KS area. We
have two locations that are conveniently located and offer appointment times Monday
through Friday to meet your needs. At Adams Dental Group, we provide most dental
services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including
dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal treatment, teeth whitening,
cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer
affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at our East location (913)
621-3113 or at our West location (913) 296-8030 to schedule an appointment.