What you need to know
- Regular trips to the dentist could help you to identify the early signs of diabetes.
- There is a clear link between diabetes and oral health, with the effects showing up both ways.
- Taking good care of your oral health can help patients to manage diabetes symptoms.
Having diabetes puts you at increased risk of developing oral health issues, and oral health issues can make diabetes more difficult to manage.
Committing to regular trips to the dentist offer benefits beyond just improving your oral health.
It can also help your dentist to spot the early signs of diabetes, long before the symptoms are obvious to the patient.
There is a clear link between oral health and diabetes, and the connection works both ways.
So while having diabetes puts you at increased risk of developing oral health issues, oral health issues can also make diabetes more difficult to manage.
In this short guide, we’re looking at the ways that diabetes can show up as oral health symptoms, and steps you can take to safeguard your oral health while managing a diabetes diagnosis.
How does diabetes impact oral health?
Patients with diabetes will have elevated levels of glucose in their blood and also in their saliva.
This can lead to inflammation throughout the body, including in the mucous membranes of the mouth and the gums.
Elevated levels of glucose in saliva will also create the ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive in the mouth.
This combination of inflammation and bacteria creates the ideal conditions for gum disease to thrive.
This is one of the most common oral health conditions.
Gum disease attacks the structures that hold the teeth in place, which can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss.
Since diabetes is also linked to slow healing, it can also lead to more extensive damage from gum disease as the inflammation will attack the gums and this can spread to the bone socket that supports your teeth.
With bone loss, the teeth can become looser and will eventually fall out.
Signs your dentist is looking out for
Your dentist will often be the first one to raise the issue of diabetes if you have signs of gum disease but are committed to good oral health practices.
Brushing twice a day will be insufficient for caring for your teeth when they are constantly under attack from elevated glucose levels.
The early signs of diabetes often show up in unrelated symptoms, such as increased thirst and fatigue.
Your dentist might be able to speed up the diagnosis by looking out for the following signs:
- Slow healing sores in the mouth
- Aggressive gum disease
- Dry mouth
- Oral thrush
- Bad breath
- Deep periodontal pockets
These could indicate that there is something deeper worth investigating, particularly when the patient takes good care of their teeth.
How does oral health impact diabetes management?
Once the patient has a diabetes diagnosis, it’s important to note that good oral hygiene will become essential for diabetes management.
Poor oral health is linked to increased inflammation in the body, which makes it harder to control blood sugar levels.
Gum disease will be more severe and take much longer to heal with diabetes, which puts patients at risk of complications such as tooth loss.
Poor oral health is linked to increased inflammation in the body, which makes it harder to control blood sugar levels.
Working alongside your dentist will help to ensure that your oral health is not impacted by a diabetes diagnosis.
This will include brushing and flossing at least twice a day for 2 minutes.
You might also need to use a specialist mouthwash to help kill bacteria in your mouth.
You should also attend regular dental checkups and hygienist cleanings to help safeguard your oral health.
When should you visit a doctor?
If you are concerned about your oral health, then you should always visit a dentist.
However, your dentist might be quick to refer you to your primary care physician if they are concerned about the presence of diabetes.
Look out for the early signs of diabetes, which includes:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
Frequently asked questions
Is gum disease reversible?
In the early stages, gum disease will be reversible, but once it becomes more advanced, the only option will be to manage the symptoms.
What are four of the 5 warning signs for diabetes?
The 5 warning signs of diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and blurred vision.
Can a dentist diagnose diabetes?
While a dentist might spot potential signs that you have diabetes from the condition of your teeth and gums, they aren’t involved with the diagnosis process.
