Diabetes is a condition where a person’s blood sugar levels are too high. When our blood sugar levels go out of control, it can cause a wide range of problems, including problems with our teeth and gums. In fact, dental problems and diabetes often go hand in hand.
In this post, we’ll discuss the most common dental diseases suffered by diabetics, and we’ll also provide some tips on how to take care of your oral hygiene if you have diabetes.
What kind of dental problems do diabetics need to watch out for?
The two most common dental problems that diabetes causes are gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontitis (a more serious gum disease). Both these problems are serious because they can lead to tooth loss if not treated.
So, if you’re diabetic, then you’ll need to keep a close eye on your gums for signs of gingivitis and periodontitis. But what are the signs you need to watch out for? In the next section, we’ll detail the main symptoms of these diseases so that you know what to look for.
The symptoms of gingivitis
The main symptoms of gingivitis are:
- Bleeding: Gingivitis causes the gums to bleed, especially after you brush your teeth.
- Red gums: People with gingivitis often have bright red gums, and their gums can even turn purple.
- Sensitivity: Gingivitis makes your gums are sensitive to touch.
- Canker sores: Gingivitis can also cause canker sores in your mouth.
- Inflammation: If you have gingivitis, you’ll probably find that that gums become inflamed.
The symptoms of periodontitis
The symptoms of periodontitis are very similar to gingivitis. The main symptoms of periodontitis are:
- Bad breath: People with periodontitis often suffer from bad breath, which is caused by the bacteria that have accumulated on the gums.
- Red gums: Periodontitis causes your gums to turn bright red or even purple.
- Bleeding: Periodontitis can cause your gums to bleed.
- Sensitivity: Sufferers of periodontitis usually have sensitive gums.
- Loose teeth: If you have periodontitis, you might feel like one of more of your teeth are coming loose.
- Inflammation: Finally, periodontitis causes the gums to become inflamed.
If gingivitis isn’t treated in time, then it will lead to periodontitis and eventually the loss of your teeth. So if you think you have symptoms of gingivitis and/or periodontitis, then make an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist will be able to give a diagnosis and prescribe treatment if necessary.
Dental care for people with diabetes
Finally, here are few tips for how to maintain good dental care if you have diabetes.
- Keep your teeth clean. If you have diabetes, then it’s important to maintain a good dental hygiene routine. This should consist of brushing at least twice a day and flossing a least once a day. By keeping your mouth clean, you’ll help to prevent gingivitis.
- Get professional cleanings. Your dentist will probably recommend regular professional cleanings to remove traces of bacterial plaque that accumulate near your gums. Regular cleanings can help prevent bacteria from passing to the gums and therefore help prevent gum disease.
- See a dentist regularly. Regular dentist appointments are very important if you have diabetes. A dentist can perform a complete check of your oral health and give you advice on how to prevent
If you have diabetes, then make an appointment with one of our friendly receptionists and we’ll advise you on the best way to maintain healthy gums and teeth.