How Diabetes Affects Oral Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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With increased blood glucose levels, people living with diabetes may have more glucose in their saliva and very dry mouths . These conditions allow dental plaque to build up on teeth, which can lead to tooth decay and cavities.

How does diabetes affect the oral cavity so significantly?

Tooth Decay and Tooth Loss – Diabetes can lead to a high glucose level in your saliva . The bacteria in your mouth thrive on glucose, which can lead to advanced stages of tooth decay and an increased risk of tooth loss. Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease) – Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria infect the gums.

How does type 2 diabetes affect your teeth?

The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of: Tooth decay (cavities) . Your mouth naturally contains many types of bacteria. When starches and sugars in foods and beverages interact with these bacteria, a sticky film known as plaque forms on your teeth.

Does diabetes affect the tongue?

Most diabetic patients are found to have oral manifestations, e.g., periodontal disease, xerostomia, burning mouth, salivary gland dysfunction, geographic tongue, candidiasis, etc. Buccal alterations could also be easily observed in patients with DM, especially coated tongue.

Can diabetes cause dental issues?

If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to have oral health problems like cavities, and infections of the gums and bones that hold your teeth in place because diabetes can reduce the blood supply to the area. If you have diabetes and you’re over 50, your risk is even higher.

Does diabetes make your mouth dry?

One of the most common symptoms of diabetes is dry mouth, or xerostomia . Dry mouth is a common symptom in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Not everyone with diabetes will experience it, though. You can also have dry mouth if you don’t have diabetes.

Does high blood sugar affect teeth?

Diabetes can also lead to dry mouth, also referred to as xerostomia . Saliva keeps harmful germs at bay, and a shortage of it can increase your risk for cavities. This condition can develop as a result of either Type I or Type II diabetes and treating dry mouth before it contributes to tooth decay is important.

Does diabetes affect your lips?

Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes is common, but if you’re experiencing it nearly every day, you shouldn’t ignore it. In addition to your mouth feeling constantly dry, symptoms of xerostomia can also include: dry, rough-feeling tongue. dry, cracked lips .

Can diabetes cause oral thrush?

Yeast infections are a particular problem with diabetes because sugar helps candida grow . High levels of sugar in your blood also mean high sugar levels in your sweat, saliva, and urine. That encourages yeast to grow in places like your mouth and genitals, and you can end up with thrush.

Does diabetes cause bitter taste in mouth?

Having diabetes can put you at a greater risk for developing taste disorders, also known as Dysgeusia. Taste disorders can cause a bad, sour, or salty taste in your mouth . If you have diabetes and a taste disorder, you are at a higher risk of developing gum disease, dental cavities, and other oral problems.

Does diabetes affect the throat?

The throat. The throat is part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which can be the location of many of the symptoms of diabetes – one of the most common is a sore throat . If you have GI problems then this can also have an impact on blood glucose levels and so may end up making existing diabetes worse.

Why does diabetes cause thirst?

Excessive thirst and increased urination

Your kidneys are forced to work overtime to filter and absorb the excess glucose . When your kidneys can’t keep up, the excess glucose is excreted into your urine, dragging along fluids from your tissues, which makes you dehydrated. This will usually leave you feeling thirsty.

What does diabetic thirst feel like?

You will likely have to urinate more and have a higher volume of urine. This uses up more of the water in your body. Water is even pulled from your tissues to help get rid of the extra sugar. This can make you feel very thirsty because you’re losing lots of water.

Do diabetics lose their teeth?

The risk of vision problems and amputations for people with diabetes is well-known. Now, research shows diabetics lose twice as many teeth on average as those without the disease . Also, blacks with diabetes have a greater risk of tooth loss as they age, compared with white or Mexican Americans, the study found.

Can diabetics use mouthwash?

Mouthwash use once per day was not associated with an increased risk of prediabetes/diabetes (compared to non-users).

Does diabetes cause weightloss?

Because the sugar stays in your blood, your body doesn’t get the fuel it needs. As a result, it begins burning fat and muscle for energy, which can result in unexplained weight loss . The most common types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Can diabetes cause dry cough?

24, 1999 (Cleveland) — A type of blood pressure medication that has been shown to help prevent the kidney damage associated with type 2 diabetes may cause an annoying, hacking, dry cough in as many as 15% of diabetics who take it, according to a survey done by a team of Italian researchers.

What does a dry mouth indicate?

Dry mouth can be due to certain health conditions, such as diabetes, stroke, yeast infection (thrush) in your mouth or Alzheimer’s disease, or due to autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren’s syndrome or HIV/AIDS . Snoring and breathing with your mouth open also can contribute to dry mouth. Tobacco and alcohol use.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.