How does diabetes affect your oral health?
How does diabetes affect your oral health?
Bothell Mill Creek Lynnwood dentist
The CDC estimates that more than 11% of all adults in the US have diabetes, and an additional 38% have prediabetes. In people with these conditions, blood sugar control is affected. It may be difficult for them to keep their blood sugar from rising too high.
High blood sugar can cause damage throughout the body, including in the kidneys, eyes, and feet. But what about the mouth? Does diabetes affect your oral health?
Diabetes increases the risk of cavities, gum disease, and infections
In fact, there’s a strong link between diabetes and a variety of dental problems. People with diabetes are at a higher risk for experiencing cavities and gum disease. They may also experience other infections in the mouth, such as thrush (an uncomfortable yeast infection in the mouth).
High blood sugar affects your saliva
The link between diabetes and oral health problems is high blood sugar. When the level of sugar rises in your blood, it also rises in your saliva. This means that every time your blood sugar spikes, some of that sugar makes its way into your mouth.
Bacteria and other organisms in your mouth feed on sugar. There are certain bacteria that produce acid when they metabolize large amounts of sugar. The acid can eat away at your enamel, which dissolves it. This leads to cavities. These bacteria are also able to produce compounds that help them to stick to the surface of your teeth, so the acid that they produce ends up in direct contact with your tooth enamel.
Bacteria can also cause gum disease. When bacteria have a lot of sugar, they have enough energy to multiply. Larger numbers of bacteria cause inflammation of the gum tissue. As the gums become irritated, they begin to pull away from the teeth. This can eventually lead to tooth loss.
In addition to bacteria, your mouth also contains other types of microorganisms. One of these is a yeast called Candida. Normally, there are only small amounts of Candida in the mouth, and it won’t cause any problems. However, Candida thrives on sugar. When it gets sugar through the saliva, then larger amounts of Candida can grow. At the same time, the immune system is also affected by diabetes, making it more difficult for your body to fight off the yeast. As Candida grows out of control, it can cause redness, a burning sensation, and even bleeding in the mouth. This is known as thrush.
Bothell Mill Creek Lynnwood dentist
If you have diabetes, then it’s very important that you see your dentist on a regular basis. Because the higher sugar levels in your saliva can lead to a variety of oral health problems, you may need more frequent cleanings than usual. If you develop gum disease, we have treatments that can help to address the problem before it leads to tooth loss. If it’s been more than six months since your last visit to the dentist, or if you have any concerns about your oral health, please make an appointment to come see Dr. Mulliken. Simply contact our front desk to schedule your visit.