No matter how old you are, the better you take care of your teeth and gums, the better chance they will remain healthy. You should take good care of your oral health if you have diabetes because diabetes put teeth and gums more at risk. So, preventive dental care is essential as you have a higher risk of developing dental problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other oral infections.
Diabetes and oral health issues
- Gum Disease
According to the Australian Dental Association, there is a higher prevalence of gum disease among people with diabetes. Gum disease and diabetes have an interesting connection because oral bacteria cause gum disease and poor glycaemic control can make gum disease worse.
This condition occurs if someone has exposure to high glucose levels before starting the treatment for diabetes. So, it is advisable to visit your dentist in Balmain every six months to detect and prevent dental disease like Gum disease.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
- Red, swollen and tender gums
- A persistent discharge coming from the gums
- A bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Spaces between your teeth
- Gums that are loose and pull away from teeth
- Tooth decay
People who do not have control over their blood sugar levels may have more glucose in their saliva and very dry mouth. As a result, this condition allows plaque to build up on teeth and leads to cavities and tooth decay.
Periodical visits to the dental clinic Balmain for professional cleaning will help prevent plaque build-ups. Brush and floss your teeth twice in a day and taking good care of your teeth prevents gum disease and cavities.
Symptoms of having tooth decay
- Tooth sensitivity
- A Toothache
- Grey, brown or black spots appearing on your teeth
- Bad breath
- An unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Oral fungal infection
Oral thrush also called as Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused due to an overgrowth of yeast which occurs naturally in the mouth. Due to diabetes, dry mouth, and poorly resistant to infection can all contribute to oral thrush. It can cause white or red patches on the skin of your mouth that leads to mouth ulcer.
Practising good oral hygiene and maintaining glucose levels is essential to treat the oral fungal infection successfully. The Balmain dentist will treat this condition by prescribing antifungal medications.
Symptoms of oral fungal infection
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Creamy white or red patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums or tonsils
- Difficulty swallowing
- Poor healing of oral tissues
Poor control of diabetes can delay the healing process after oral surgery or a dental procedure, as blood flow to the surgical site can be damaged.
The primary link between oral health issues and diabetes is high blood sugar. If your blood sugar level is high, oral health problems are more likely to develop. Therefore, it is essential to visit dentist in Balmain regularly.
