Why Oral Hygiene Is Essential for Diabetes Patients

One of the most serious health-related concerns in India is the incidence of diabetes among the population. As per the WHO, there are 77 million people in India above the age of 18 who suffer from Type 2 diabetes. Oral hygiene for diabetes patients is crucial, as diabetes is a challenging condition that affects the entire human body, including the mouth.

Many people worldwide are still not aware of how diabetes and oral health are closely linked. Moreover, most people don’t know that gum disease can elevate your sugar levels and lead to severe health problems, like heart or digestive issues. Hence, there is a need for diabetic people to take strict care of their dental health to prevent oral issues like gum disease. In an attempt to guide them, we will focus this blog on the relationship between oral hygiene and diabetes and examine how diabetes affects oral health and gum disease. We will also list out some expert tips for maintaining oral hygiene with diabetes. 

The Relation Between Diabetes And Gum Disease 

Recent research by the Journal of the American Dental Association reveals that gum disease can lead to high blood sugar. Like other infections, gum disease also leads to a rise in sugar levels because the germs from the infected gums leak into the bloodstream, leading to harmful effects on the entire body, including an increase in blood sugar levels and a lowering of immunity.

Gum infections are silent and often don’t display any symptoms in their initial stages, such as pus discharge. This is why people often ignore gun infections, and this leads to uncontrolled diabetes, which affects the entire body, including the heart, lungs, eyes, nerves, kidneys, and gastrointestinal systems. However, the good news is that by treating gum disease in people with type 2 diabetes, you can bring their sugar levels down. 

Diabetes and Periodontitis

Periodontal disease is a common problem in the oral cavity that is closely associated with diabetes. It typically starts as gingivitis, causing mild inflammation in the gums due to plaque and tartar buildup near the gum line. Failing this, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease known for breaking down the gums as well as the bone that anchors your teeth.

For individuals with high blood sugar, the risk of gum disease worsening is significantly higher. Elevated glucose levels can fuel the bacteria in your mouth, accelerating the damage. Over time, gums may pull away from teeth, forming deep pockets that harbor more bacteria. This might cause tooth shifting or even eventual loss.

Oral hygiene and diabetes management can help prevent and treat gum disease early.

Other Effects of Diabetes on Health

One more significant aspect of oral hygiene and diabetes to note is that uncontrolled sugar levels weaken the white blood cells, which protect the entire body against bacterial infections, including those in the mouth, leading to various dental issues. 

High sugar levels also cause the salivary glands to produce less saliva, which keeps the mouth hydrated. Saliva is essential for good oral health since it washes away pieces of food in the mouth, thus preventing bacteria from growing and fighting the acids. It also has minerals that shield tissues in the mouth and prevent tooth decay. 

Even some medications used to treat diabetes can cause your salivary glands to reduce saliva production. This decrease in saliva flow increases the risk of dental cavities and other issues. All these can be prevented with proper dental care for diabetes. Moreover, high glucose levels in the blood feed harmful bacteria that combine with the food in your mouth to form plaque, leading to cavities.

Other Common Oral Issues in Diabetes Patients 

One important fact to remember about oral hygiene and diabetes is that high sugar levels can make your mouth more vulnerable to various issues. Here are some common oral problems faced by people with diabetes:

• Dry Mouth: High blood sugar reduces saliva, causing dryness, soreness, cavities, and infections.
• Slow Healing: Poor circulation in diabetes delays wound and oral surgery healing.
• Oral Thrush: Diabetics are prone to thrush, causing white patches and discomfort.
• Burning Sensation: Thrush and nerve issues may cause a burning mouth or tongue.
• Taste Changes: Diabetes can affect how you perceive flavors, though the exact reason remains unclear.

Maintaining oral hygiene and managing blood sugar levels can help prevent complications related to oral hygiene and diabetes.

Tips for maintaining oral hygiene with diabetes

Maintaining good oral hygiene and diabetes control is important for overall health. Here are some practical tips to protect your teeth and gums:

• Address Gum Problems Early: If your gums are swollen, red, or bleed easily, don’t wait. Visit your dentist to catch and treat gum disease early.
• Brush and Floss Regularly: Floss your teeth at least once a day and use fluoride toothpaste when you brush your teeth in the morning and before going to bed at night. This will remove the sticky film of bacteria called plaque from between the teeth.

• Take Care of Dentures: If you use dentures, clean them every day to prevent bacteria and infection.
• Stay Hydrated: Do not let your mouth go dry. Make sure you drink a lot of water. Chewing of sugar-free gum also influences the production of saliva.
• Don’t Smoke: Smoking not only harms your gums but can also make diabetes harder to manage. Stop smoking, as it will enhance your oral and general health.
• Routine Checkups: Visit your dentist regularly and follow your doctor’s advice to keep your blood sugar levels in check.

The above steps will help avoid further oral complications when accompanied by a balanced diet, alongside oral hygiene and diabetes control.

How To Prevent Gum Disease In Diabetic Patients 

Diabetic patients should prevent themselves from oral health complications. Here are some simple yet effective measures to maintain good oral hygiene and diabetes care:

• Keep your dentist informed: Talk to your dentist about the medications you are taking and any changes in your diabetes status. This makes it easier for them to provide you with care that suits your needs.
• Regular dental visits: Your dentist will tell you how often you should visit for cleaning and check-ups. Make sure you adhere to the recommended schedule.

• Consult your doctor before surgery: If you’re planning periodontal treatment or surgery, consult both your doctor and dentist to ensure your diabetes is well-managed beforehand. They may adjust your medications or meal plan as needed.
• Prepare for emergencies: Postpone non-urgent procedures if your blood sugar isn’t under control, but seek immediate treatment for issues like infections or abscesses.
• Bring medication details: Share a list of all medications and dosages with your dentist. This ensures they prescribe treatments that won’t interfere with your current medications.
• Follow post-treatment instructions: Diabetes may slow the healing process, so be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions after any treatment.

Conclusion

By now, you must have understood the connection between oral hygiene and diabetes and noted the diabetes oral hygiene tips you need to follow. By following the guidelines of your dentist and managing your sugar levels, you can prevent most dental issues before their onset.

At Gnathos Dental, we treat patients after checking their medical history and knowing their underlying conditions like diabetes. We take extra precautions while performing procedures for diabetic people to ensure they don’t suffer complications in the future. Moreover, we explain how diabetes and gum disease are related and give tips for gum care. Our hospital-based dentistry, with the best hygiene standards and advanced equipment, ensures safe and quick recovery for diabetes patients. 

FAQs

• Why is oral hygiene important for diabetes patients? 

People with diabetes are more prone to tooth and gum problems since high sugar levels lower their immunity and increase the risk of infections, especially gum diseases. By taking care of their dental health with regular routines like brushing and flossing along with dental checkups and controlling their sugar levels, they can reduce their risks.

• What are the best oral hygiene practices for people with diabetes? 

Diabetic patients must regularly floss their teeth to dislodge the trapped foods and brush them with fluoride toothpaste. They should avoid smoking and eat a balanced and nutritious diet low in sugar. 

• What are some oral complications of diabetes?

Oral hygiene and diabetes are closely related, and people with uncontrolled sugar levels commonly face issues like cavities, tooth decay, mouth ulcers, and gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis.

• How can a diabetic person prevent dry mouth?

To prevent dry mouth, diabetics should drink plenty of water, limit eating spicy and salty food, floss regularly and take their diabetes medications on time.