Healthy Teeth and Gums with Diabetes
Healthy teeth and gums are an important part of you diabetes management plan. Everybody likes a bright smile. And keeping your teeth and gums healthy is especially important if you have diabetes. That’s because people with diabetes are at increased risk for a variety of oral health complications, including periodontal (gum) disease, which can damage the gums and bone around your teeth.
Gum disease may make it harder for you to manage your blood sugar. And poorly controlled diabetes can, in turn, lead to even worse tooth and gum problems. Studies suggest that gum disease also may be linked to other serious health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Gum Disease
The bacteria in your mouth form a sticky, naturally occurring substance called plaque. Plaque builds up on your teeth—especially along the gum line—unless you brush and floss regularly. If ignored, the plaque eventually hardens into tartar, the gritty stuff your dentist scrapes off when cleaning your teeth. Both plaque and tartar can lead to infection in your gums.
Early gum disease is called gingivitis. Gums can become swollen, red, and prone to bleeding. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a severe infection of the gums called periodontitis. It can cause the gums to come loose from the tooth root and recede, and the bone that holds your teeth in place to break down. You may notice bad breath, loose teeth, and pus when you press on the gums.
Other Problems
Diabetes makes it easier to get other kinds of mouth infections, too. People with diabetes often have dry mouth. Lack of saliva can lead to tooth decay. Swelling, pain when you chew, or sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods can be signs of tooth decay or infection. White or red patches can signal a fungal infection called thrush. Thrush can be triggered by having high blood glucose, taking antibiotics, smoking, or wearing dentures that don’t fit well.
Tips for Healthy Gums and Teeth
How can you help keep your teeth and gums healthy? In addition to managing your blood sugar, here are some strategies:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush. Use short, gentle strokes, pay special attention to the gum line, and take your time. Brush your tongue, too. Be sure to replace your toothbrush every three or four months.
- Floss your teeth once a day. Ask your dentist about the proper way to floss. Specially designed dental flossholders make flossing easier.
- Call your dentist if you notice any of the warning signs of gum disease. These may include red, tender gums that bleed; gums that have pulled away from your teeth; bad breath; or loose teeth.
- Be sure to get a checkup every six months so that your dentist or hygenist can remove tartar from your teeth and gum line. Tartar harbors plaque, which is a sticky film loaded with bacteria that increases your risk for gum disease. Tell your dentist that you have diabetes.
- If you wear dentures, have them checked regularly by your dentist.
- If you need dental work, ask your doctor whether you need to take an antibiotic to prevent infection. While your mouth is healing, keep your blood glucose under control. Talk with your doctor about whether you need to check your blood glucose more often or change your diabetes medication.
Smoking also can increase your risk for gum disease, as well as serious diabetic complications, such as nerve damage and heart disease. So, if you smoke, quit. Trying to quit smoking on your own can be difficult, but there is help available through a variety of organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (see web site “How to Quit”).
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is a team effort. But with daily care and regular dental checkups, you can have a bright smile—and keep your diabetes under control.
Your mouth is home to millions of germs. Chronically high blood sugar disrupts the body's immune response to bacteria allowing them to grow. That’s one reason why people with diabetes are prone to getting periodontal (gum) disease. If you have diabetes, you need to take especially good care of your teeth and gums.