Did you know that diabetes shares several connections with your oral health? Keep reading if you would like to learn more.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when one’s pancreas either cannot produce insulin or cannot regulate it naturally. Insulin is a hormone which carries the glucose (sugar) in your blood to your body’s cells so they can use the sugar as fuel. When the body cannot utilize insulin, then your blood sugar levels can get out of control, causing diabetes.
Effects Of Diabetes Oral Health
Uncontrolled diabetes can have adverse effects on your eyesight, heart, kidney, or even the extremities of your body. Concerning your oral health, diabetes can cause problems to develop such as:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Dry mouth
- Slower healing
- Oral thrush
One of the main reasons diabetes causes these problems is because it weakens the body’s immune system, making healing slow and infection difficult to fight. Diabetes also has negative effects on oral health because more glucose exists in the saliva which causes harm to your teeth.
Diabetics And Oral Health Care
Though diabetes can have a serious effect on your oral health, there are several steps you can take to prevent problems from developing. Some of these steps include:
- Maintaining oral hygiene
- Visiting the dentist regularly
- Regulating your blood sugar levels
- Keeping dentures clean
- Avoid smoking tobacco
Feel free to call Dr. Trista Pottenger today to learn more about the effects diabetes has on oral health and how you can prevent them.