Why is Dental Check-up Important for Patients with Diabetes?

If you have diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, it will affect your body, including your gums and teeth. Therefore, diabetic patients must undergo dental check-ups regularly to ensure good oral health.

This article will let you know the importance of dental check-ups for people with diabetes in detail.

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How Is Diabetes and Dental Disease Correlated?

Dentists believe that high glucose levels in your blood and saliva allow bacteria to thrive, leading to dental cavities and potential gum issues. Also, if you are a diabetic patient, you tend to consume frequent meals throughout the day. This leads to higher chances of bacteria growth.
Uncontrolled diabetes leads to gingivitis and later periodontitis. As the infection continues, it leads to decaying of the underlying bone that holds the teeth. Therefore, if you have diabetes, you are prone to lose teeth more often.

What Are the Potential Oral Diseases of Diabetic Patients?

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

How to Take Proper Dental Care if you Have Diabetes?

Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels: To keep your blood sugar levels within range, it is necessary for you to monitor the levels and follow your doctor’s advice. Controlling your blood sugar levels will lead to the reduction of gingivitis and other oral problems.
Regularly Brush Your Teeth: Brushing your teeth twice a day and after meals will deep clean your teeth. However, avoid vigorously brushing the teeth, which might irritate the gums. Instead, try to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and use toothpaste containing fluoride. Additionally, you must use a new toothbrush after every three months.
Floss Your Teeth: Flossing your teeth once a day helps to remove plaque under your gums and between your teeth. This will also deep clean your enamels, reducing the chances of dental problems.
Make Regular Dental Visits: The importance of dental check-ups in diabetes includes diabetic patients regularly going through dental cleaning. As your dentist thoroughly checks and monitors your enamels, they will come to know of any underlying dental issues too. Also, your dentist will deep clean the enamels to eliminate plaques and tartar, which are the primary reasons for tooth decay.
Avoid Consuming Sugar and Starch: Consuming food containing sugar and starch will lead to higher sugar levels in your blood. Avoid eating them, so they do not interact with the bacteria inside your mouth that form plaques.
Smoking and Chewing Tobacco Is Strictly Prohibited: Smoking and chewing tobacco increases complications in a diabetic patient. This might lead to loss of teeth too.
Remove Dentures and Clean: If you wear dentures, try removing them and cleaning your teeth thoroughly.

According to research, keeping your mouth healthy by following the above dental care routine can reduce such oral issues.

So, now that you know the importance of dental check-ups, if you have diabetes, try to clean your teeth regularly and thoroughly. Then, when you visit your dentist, tell them if you have had recent oral surgery or have gone through any dental work. Your dentist will then be able to guide you through the processes that follow after that.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How will I understand that I am having dental problems due to diabetes?

To understand that you have dental issues due to diabetes, check your mouth for signs of dental decay. This can include pulling teeth away from the gums, wider gaps between your teeth, and bad breath that doesn't go away even after brushing.

What must I do if I find severe oral problems due to diabetes?

As soon as you find signs and symptoms of tooth decay and related oral problems, it is ideal to see a dentist immediately. Try to keep them updated about your diabetes and if it is under control. Additionally, let them know if there is an increase in glucose levels in your blood.