When you have diabetes, your body is unable to properly convert the carbohydrates you consume into energy. Without proper treatment, you will develop increased blood sugar levels—an issue that can harm all aspects of your body, including your mouth. Fortunately, you can avoid these problems by sticking to your treatment plan, practicing proper oral hygiene, and visiting a dentist regularly. To ensure you maintain proper oral health, here are three common dental issues associated with diabetes and what can be done about them.

Oral Health Issues Linked to Diabetes & How to Address Them

1. Gingivitis & Gum Disease

Having elevated blood sugar levels means having more sugar in your saliva. Oral bacteria will feed on these sugars for energy, causing them to grow and thrive. Once this bacteria takes over your mouth, it will eventually infect the gum tissue and cause a common condition known as gingivitis. Typically, gingivitis is associated with swollen, red, tender, and bleeding gums.

While gingivitis can be reversed with professional dental cleanings and at-home oral hygiene, it can advance into gum disease if left untreated. Over time, this condition will destroy gum tissue and the underlying jawbone, causing teeth to become misaligned or fall out entirely. In more severe cases, the infection may spread to teeth—or other parts of the body. If you suspect you have gum disease, talk to a dentist about possible treatment options—such as the use of antibiotics, scaling and planing, and gum tissue grafts.  

2. Tooth Decay

As oral bacteria feed on increased sugars in the saliva, they will produce harmful acids as a result. These acids will gradually wear away at enamel and cause cavities. If these cavities aren’t filled by a dentist, the tooth may become infected, causing severe pain and discomfort. When caught early enough, these infections can be treated through root canal therapy. However, if the infection destroys too much material, the entire tooth may need to be extracted and replaced with a dental implant.

3. Dry Mouth

After long periods of elevated blood sugar, it’s common for individuals to become dehydrated. This dehydration will eventually cause dry mouth—an uncomfortable condition that allows oral bacteria to thrive. With increased bacterial activity, individuals will face a higher risk of oral infection, tooth decay, and gum disease.

If you have diabetes and are concerned about these oral health risks, turn to the specialists at Elm Dental Care for comprehensive support. Located in Saint Charles, MO, this family dentist can comfortably diagnose and treat gum disease, tooth decay, and dry mouth. They also offer routine teeth cleanings to prevent these issues from occurring in the first place. To learn more about this practice’s friendly approach to dental care, visit their website. If you’d like to schedule a convenient appointment, call (636) 916-4848.