According to IDF (International Diabetes Federation) data, 425 million people in the world live with diabetes (2017 data).
Diabetes can cause complications such as stroke, heart disease and kidney failure, and also affects your oral and gum health.
So what is the relationship between diabetes and your oral health?
Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infections and slows down healing processes. Therefore, oral infections tend to be more severe in people with diabetes. Moreover, people with uncontrolled diabetes have more oral health problems. This is because uncontrolled diabetes affects white blood cells (leukocytes), which are the body's primary defense against infections. It also reduces saliva flow and increases sugar (glucose) levels in saliva, which can predispose to fungal infections such as thrush.
Diabetics may also experience other types of oral problems:
*Burning mouth syndrome: A painful and often frustrating condition that can affect the tongue, oral mucosa, gums, cheeks and the back of the throat. It is a condition. It is also known as burning tongue. It causes a general burning sensation in the mouth.
*Dry mouth (xerostomia): Diabetes can reduce the flow of saliva and cause a dry mouth. It can cause canker sores, ulcers, infections and tooth decay in the mouth.
*Thrush: It is an infection caused by a fungus that grows in the mouth. It produces white spots in the mouth that are painful and can cause ulcers. It impairs your ability to taste and may cause difficulty in swallowing.
People with diabetes, They cannot recover quickly after oral treatment and other dental procedures. Extreme care must be taken after surgical procedures as the blood flow in the tissues decreases and deterioration occurs in the capillary structure.
So, how can you prevent all these diseases?
*Keep your blood sugar levels under control and manage them.
*Take good care of your teeth and gums. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss every day. Use a mouthwash recommended by your dentist daily.
*If you use dentures, remove them and clean them daily.
*Visit your dentist at least twice a year and ask him/her about your diabetes. Have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year.
*Never smoke or use cigarettes or other tobacco products. People with diabetes who smoke are 20 times more at risk of gum disease.
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