5 Ways Diabetes Affects Your Mouth

Diabetes is a condition caused by complete or absolute lack of insulin due to abnormal carbohydrate, fat, protein metabolism. It creates concomitant oral manifestations that impact dental health and has its own set of acute and chronic complications. Diabetes can never be cured but it can be controlled.

 Here are the 5 ways in which diabetes affects your mouth. 

1. Diabetes causes dry mouth – at night especially.
   Uncontrolled diabetes affects salivary functions and that create a condition called as xerostomia aslo known as dry mouth. Dry mouth prevents physiologic cleaning of oral cavity as there is lack of saliva. It increases the chances of having dental caries, cavities and gum infections. A simple remedy for dry mouth is to drink plenty of water and fluids to keep your oral cavity hydrated.
2. Taste dysfunction
   Neurosensory disturbances in diabetes affect taste perception i.e. no taste sensation to any kind of food. Patient cannot distinguish any taste. This can affect oral hygiene maintenance too.
3. Gum diseases
   Diabetes creates low immunity in body and this creates low resistance to bacteria. Because of this growth of disease producing bacteria increases that result into various gum diseases. Sign of gum diseases are like bleeding from swollen gums, mobile teeth, and pus discharge from gums. There is two way relation between diabetes and gum diseases means patients who have gum diseases without diabetes, there are increases chances to develop diabetes as long standing gum diseases produce insulin resistance and patient with diabetes there are increased chances of developing gum diseases. Diabetes also delay wound healing and chronic condition without treatment get worse.
4. Candidiasis
   Diabetes decreases immunity of the body this creates way to develop many opportunistic infections. E.g. candidiasis. In this condition a white membrane forms on the gums and other oral tissues. After removal of it, bleeding spots and pain occurs. You dentist can diagnose the condition and suggest you the medications for the same.
5. Burning mouth syndrome
   Dry mouth and low immunity creates conditions in oral cavity like leukoplakia, lichen planus and various other oral mucosal diseases. And these conditions together forms burning mouth problem. These conditions can be associated with various other causes. Careful diagnosis is important in cases like this. Dentist only help you out from this.
6. Taste dysfunction
   Neurosensory disturbances in diabetes affect taste perception i.e. no taste sensation to any kind of food. Patient cannot distinguish any taste. This can affect oral hygiene maintenance too.

If you are diagnosed with diabetes keep regular visits to your physician and the dentist. Their co-ordination requires to treat oral problems associated with diabetes. Regular dental visits are important that helps to keep your blood sugar levels near normal. Research have shown that treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar control in patients living with diabetes, decreasing the progression of the disease. Practicing good oral hygiene regularly and having professional deep cleanings done by dentist can help to lower your HbA1c (lab test to check the efficiency of sugar control medicines)

Teamwork involving self-care and professional care from dentist will be helpful in keeping your healthy smile as well as potentially slowing progression of diabetes. Here are five oral health-related tips you can do for optimal wellness:
• Control your blood sugar levels. Use your diabetes-related medications as directed by physician, changing to a healthier diet, exercising, mediation and yoga can help. Good blood sugar control helps your body fight against bacterial or fungal infections in your mouth and relieve dry mouth caused by diabetes.
• Avoid smoking.
• Keep your dentures clean each and every day.
• Make sure to brush twice a day with a soft brush.
• Visit your dentist for regular checkups.