Living with diabetes means you’re already managing a lot. You’re checking blood sugar, thinking about food choices, and staying on top of your overall health. But there’s one area that sometimes gets overlooked: your mouth. It might surprise you to learn that your oral health and diabetes are closely linked in a two-way street.
When diabetes isn’t well-managed, it leads to having too much sugar (glucose) in your blood. This high blood sugar doesn’t just affect your heart, kidneys, and nerves. It has a major impact on your entire body’s ability to fight off infections.
Since your mouth is full of good and bad bacteria, it becomes a prime target for problems. Essentially, high blood sugar can weaken your body’s defense system. It makes it harder to battle the bacteria that cause gum disease and other oral infections.
But it works the other way, too! A serious infection like advanced gum disease in your mouth, can make your blood sugar even harder to control. It’s a cycle that can feel frustrating, but you can take powerful steps to protect both your smile and your overall health.
The Big Three: Gum Disease, Thrush, and Dry Mouth
For people with diabetes, there are three common oral health issues to keep on your radar. Knowing the signs means you can catch them early and get help.
1. Gum Disease: More Than Just Bleeding Gums
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It starts quietly as gingivitis, where your gums might look red, feel puffy, and bleed a little when you brush or floss. This early stage can quickly turn into a more serious problem called periodontitis. Diabetes can slow down your healing and weaken your infection-fighting power.
In periodontitis, the infection goes deeper. You might notice your gums pulling away from your teeth, making your teeth look longer. Your teeth might even feel loose or start to shift. For people with diabetes, this isn’t just about your gums. Severe gum disease can actually make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
The good news is that dentists have treatments like deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) that can help manage the infection. Your dentist can help you get things back under control if you see them in time.
2. Thrush: A Fungus Among Us
Thrush might sound a little strange, but it’s a fairly common issue. It’s a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus called Candida. A little bit of this fungus normally lives in our mouths, but it’s kept in check by our immune system and other bacteria.
When blood sugar is high, there’s more sugar available in your saliva. This extra sugar is like a feast for the fungus, so it grows out of control. If you have thrush, you might see creamy white, slightly raised patches on your tongue or the inside of your cheeks.
Your mouth might feel sore, and it could even be difficult to swallow. The infection is treatable with prescription medications from your dentist or doctor. Controlling your blood sugar is the key to preventing it from coming back.
3. Dry Mouth: More Than Just Feeling Thirsty
Have you ever felt like your mouth is constantly dry, even when you’re drinking water? This is dry mouth or xerostomia, and it’s another common issue for people with diabetes. It can be a side effect of the condition itself or of some medications.
Saliva is your mouth’s unsung hero. It washes away food particles, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria, and helps fight off germs. When you don’t have enough of it, the risk for cavities, gum disease, and infections goes way up. In fact, a persistently dry mouth can sometimes be one of the first clues that leads someone to get checked for diabetes.
To help with dry mouth, try sipping water throughout the day, using a humidifier at night, or chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production.
Your Action Plan for a Healthier Mouth
Taking care of your mouth when you have diabetes is very important for your overall health. Here’s your game plan:
- Team Up with Your Dentist: Don’t skip your regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Let your dentist in Lexington know you have diabetes so they can be on the lookout for these specific issues. They might recommend more frequent cleanings to keep gum disease at bay.
- Master Your Home Care: Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss daily. This is your first and best defense against plaque buildup.
- Manage Your Blood Sugar: This is the most important step. Following your doctor’s advice, eating well, and taking your medications as prescribed will keep your blood sugar in a target range. This will directly protect your mouth.
If you’re in the Lexington area and it’s been a while since your last dental visit, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at our office. Dr. Morgan Chambers and our entire team are here to provide complete dental care tailored to your needs. Taking control of your oral health is a powerful way to support your journey with diabetes.