Last week, we discussed how poor dental health affects diabetes, but today, we’re focusing on how diabetes impacts dental and oral health.
I won’t say I’m shocked about this because diabetes tends to affect almost every part of the body, and that’s very scary.
Let’s see what really happens.

📌 Periodontitis:
High blood sugar is a symptom of diabetes, and when blood glucose is elevated or fluctuates, it causes a higher risk of gum disease, also known as periodontitis, through the following:
High glucose levels in saliva feed harmful oral bacteria. That’s one reason why we must always brush our teeth at night before going to sleep!!!

This horrible disease, diabetes, impairs immune function, so it’s harder to do its job to fight infections!
It causes reduced blood flow to the gums, and this slows healing. Diabetes has the knack of slowing down healing as a whole, which is why many diabetics have wounds that get bigger and worse.

All the above then result in:
📍Gingivitis, which leads to periodontitis.

📍Gum bleeding, swelling, recession.

📍Loose teeth.

‼️If you are suffering from the above persistently, go get your blood sugar levels checked.

Research shows that periodontitis is 2–3 times more common and more severe in people with poorly controlled diabetes. This should be a wake-up call for people who are careless about their diabetes.

Even with a good diet or medication, blood sugar may stay elevated if your oral and dental health isn’t improved.

📌 Dry mouth, which is known as xerostomia:
This condition is very irritating. It happens because diabetes can reduce the flow of saliva. There are consequences to dry mouth, such as:

📍Development of Cavities.

📍Bad Oral infections.

📍Difficulty chewing and swallowing.

📌 Oral infections:
Diabetes increases the risk of these oral diseases, such as:

📍Higher risk of developing Oral Thrush (Candida), and you’d need medication to treat this (thick white coating on the tongue).

📍Abscesses, which can be very painful.

📍Delayed wound healing after dental procedures.

This is what is advised that people with diabetes should do:

📍Get dental check-ups every 3–6 months. That’s what I do. This year, do this please.

📍Brush twice daily. I do that.

📍Floss or use interdental cleaners once or twice a day. I do it at night.

📍Use antimicrobial mouth rinses if advised. I do oil pulling and use a solution I make from pomegranate peel as my mouthwash.

This is a major one. If you are diabetic, please ensure you have attained proper glucose control before any dental procedures. Let your dentist know you are diabetic !!!

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