According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the higher your blood sugar level, the higher your chances of dental issues. Thus lies the importance of dental check-up for diabetic patients.
However, the oral threats for older adults with diabetes include:
1. Cavity Attacks
As you consume starch and sugary food items, the bacteria inside your mouth interact, forming a sticky coat on your teeth. This is known as plaque, and the acids in plaque attack your enamel and dentin, leading to cavities. The higher the sugar level in your blood, the more cavity attacks on your teeth will result in wearing away your enamel.
2. Gingivitis
An early form of dental disease, gingivitis makes your teeth red and swollen, often leading to bleeding gums. If you have diabetes, your body is less prone to fight against bacteria and germs. Therefore, deposits of tartar and plaque on your teeth harden under your gums. As it stays longer, they tend to irritate the gingiva or the tissue under your teeth. This leads to swollen and painful gums.
3. Periodontitis
When gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to a more advanced stage of gum problem known as periodontitis. Periodontitis decays the bones supporting your tooth and damages the tissue underlying your teeth. As a result, your jawbone and gums tend to pull away from your teeth. So, your teeth loosen and fall out. Since diabetes reduces the ability to resist decay and infection, it slows the healing process. Periodontitis for diabetic patients can also lead to rising blood sugar levels making diabetes challenging to control.
4. Thrush
A fungal infection caused by the yeast known as Candida albicans, if you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop thrush. So, if you notice painful red and white patches inside your mouth, these are confirmed signs of thrush. Therefore, it is necessary to practice regular oral hygiene to avoid the recurrence of such severe dental issues.
5. Xerostomia
Commonly known as dry mouth, in this oral problem, diabetic patients experience a lack of saliva inside their mouth. Since saliva is helpful to bathe your teeth and keep the interiors of your mouth moist, a lack of it might cause tooth decay, thrush, and other gum issues.
So, now that you know the importance of dental check-ups for diabetic patients let us discuss how you can take proper care of your teeth if you are a diabetic person