Diabetes And Dental Complications

Diabetes is a systemic disease that affects the body’s natural ability to process sugar.

As such, diabetes often results in high blood sugar level that causes unwanted health complications to various parts of the body, including the eyes, nerves, kidneys, and heart – and the mouth is not an exception.

Oral Complications

People who are suffering from diabetes are at a significantly greater risk of developing a number of oral health anomalies.

Among the most prominent of these include the following:

Dry mouth

People with diabetes who remain unable to control their blood sugar levels properly are most likely to suffer from xerostomia.

Popularly referred to as dry mouth, xerostomia is a gateway condition to more serious dental anomalies such as mouth soreness, ulcers, infections, and tooth decay.

Gum disease

A constantly growing body of research cites the strong link between gum disease and diabetes.

And it goes both ways. On one end, the already compromised resistance of the body against any form of infection allows gum disease to develop among people with diabetes more often and at a more severe level compared to patients who don’t have the disease.

Conversely, it appears that by keeping gum disease under control, diabetic patients can control their blood sugar levels more efficiently.

Fungal infections

Diabetes compromises the natural ability of the body to ward off all kinds of infections, not only those that result from bacteria.

As such, people with diabetes are also more susceptible to developing fungal infections.

Among the most telling symptoms of fungal infections are mouth sores and persisting difficulty swallowing.

Dentist On The Gold Coast

People who have diabetes typically require so much more than practising good oral hygiene.

While brushing, flossing, and rinsing remain essential to maintaining good oral healthcare, professional dental upkeep becomes imperative among patients who have diabetes.

This mainly includes dental checkups, periodontal screenings, and professional dental cleanings.

For exceptional dental solutions, visit your local Main Beach dentist at Main Beach Dental.

Main Beach Dental provides the local Gold Coast community and its surrounding regions with only the best treatments modern dentistry offers. Claim your FREE dental consultation by calling us at (07) 5503 1177 or simply by booking an appointment online.