Increasing Risk of Tooth Decay in Diabetic Patients
Author: Dr. Saumya Lal
Keywords- Tooth, decay, diabetes
Diabetes symptoms can manifest in the mouth, paying attention to your dental health might help you be diagnosed and treated sooner. Because the earliest signs and symptoms of diabetes can manifest in the mouth, paying attention to your dental health might help you be diagnosed and treated sooner. Patients with type 2 diabetes are more prone to tooth decay. Medical specialists have proposed several plausible explanations for the relationship between the two illnesses. Tooth decay is caused by plaque bacteria interacting with carbohydrates in the mouth. Diabetics are more susceptible to periodontal infections due to their elevated blood sugar levels.
People with diabetes who have fluctuating blood glucose levels have a greater risk of tooth decay and gum disease than those who do not have diabetes. This is because they have a weaker infection resistance and may not heal as quickly. If you have diabetes, you must pay special attention to your oral health and dental care, as well as keeping your blood glucose levels under control. Regularly see your dentist for tips on how to maintain your teeth and gums healthy. This equates to 9.3% of the population. Each year, around 1.7 million new instances of diabetes are identified, with 8.1 million people living with diabetes unaware of their condition.
The capacity of your body to metabolize sugar is affected by diabetes. All of the food you eat is converted to sugar and utilized as fuel. Type I diabetes occurs when the body produces insufficient insulin, a hormone that transports sugar from the bloodstream to the cells that require it for energy. The body stops responding to insulin in Type II diabetes. High blood sugar levels arise in both situations, which can cause issues with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart, and other body components.
Because diabetes symptoms can manifest in the mouth, paying attention to your dental health might help you be diagnosed and treated sooner. Because the earliest signs and symptoms of diabetes can manifest in the mouth, paying attention to your dental health might help you be diagnosed and treated sooner. Patients with type 2 diabetes are more prone to tooth decay. Medical specialists have proposed several plausible explanations for the relationship between the two illnesses. Tooth decay is caused by plaque bacteria interacting with carbohydrates in the mouth. Diabetics are more susceptible to periodontal infections due to their elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes patients are more likely to develop gingivitis and other severe gum disorders. They are more prone to bacterial infection and have a lower ability to fend against bacterial invasion inside the gums.
The following are the most frequent oral health issues that diabetics face:
- Periodontal (gum) disease is a condition that affects the teeth and gums.
- Abscesses of the gums.
- decay of the teeth.
- Infections caused by fungi, such as thrush.
- Lichen Planus inflammatory, autoimmune skin condition).
- sores in the mouth.
- Disturbances in taste.
- a parched and stinging mouth (low saliva levels).
People with diabetes may have more glucose in their saliva and have very dry mouths when their blood glucose levels rise. Dental plaque accumulates on teeth as a result of these circumstances, resulting in tooth decay and cavities.
Plaque may be eliminated effectively by brushing your teeth and gums twice a day using a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Clean between your teeth every day with interdental cleaners or dental floss. Cavities and gum disease can be avoided by taking proper care of your teeth.
Diabetic individuals have significant fluid loss owing to polyuria, a decreased response to infections, poor connective tissue metabolism, and a variety of microvascular abnormalities. Xerostomia, salivary gland dysfunction, increased susceptibility to bacterial, viral, and fungal infection, periapical abscesses, tooth loss, taste impairment, lichen planus, burning mouth syndrome, and abnormal orthodontic tooth motions are all caused by these variables in diabetes individuals.
When compared to non-diabetics, diabetic individuals have a very high and alarming prevalence of dental caries. If you have teeth, you must brush and floss them regularly to maintain them and the gums around them healthy. You can’t clean between your teeth with a toothbrush alone, no matter how hard you try. You must floss or utilize another interproximal cleaning equipment that your dentist, hygienist, or dental assistant recommends.
Flossing is an essential element of your dental hygiene routine. It is an important tool for preventing decay and gum disease by eliminating plaque build-up on the teeth. Diabetes can also impact the health of the gums, and unhealthy gums can wreak havoc on diabetes control. “Treating gum disease in patients with diabetes can assist improve blood sugar control,” according to the American Dental Association. Taking care of the problem, on the other hand, might make it more difficult to maintain blood sugar levels under control. The resultant high blood sugar levels can harm your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart, and other bodily organs.” As a result, it is clearly preferable to avoid and/or control gum disease rather than seek professional help for the illness and its complications.
It is essential to visit the dentist on a regular basis. According to research, treating gum disease can assist individuals with diabetes to regulate their blood sugar levels, slowing the illness’s progression. Your HbA1c can be reduced by practicing proper dental hygiene and having professional thorough cleanings performed by your dentist. (This is a lab test that determines your average blood sugar level over the preceding three months.) It tells you how effectively you’re managing your diabetes.
Self-care combined with expert treatment from your dentist will help you maintain a healthy smile while also potentially delaying the course of diabetes. Here are five dental health-related activities you can do to improve your overall health:
- Maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Taking your diabetic medicines as prescribed, eating a better diet, and exercising more can all help. Blood sugar management will also aid your body in fighting any bacterial or fungal infections in your mouth, as well as alleviate diabetes-related dry mouth.
- Smoking should be avoided.
- If you wear RPD, make sure you clean it every day.
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a gentle brush and floss between your teeth every day.
- Regular dental checkup.
However, new research investigations have discovered that tooth decay is not a singular issue. In other words, persons with diabetes are more likely to acquire dental decay, while people with teeth issues are also more likely to get diabetes. Gum disorders have been discovered to impact the body’s blood glucose levels. Individuals are more likely to acquire diabetes as a result of this. As a result, it’s critical that you keep your teeth in good shape. Poor oral hygiene will exacerbate the problem of blood sugar management, resulting in significant health issues.
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