Diabetes and Oral Health

If you have diabetes, it’s important to keep your medical records up-to-date. Let your Ottawa family dentist know:

• if you have been diagnosed with diabetes;
• if the disease is under control;
• if there has been any other change in your medical history, and;
• the names of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs you are taking.

The most common oral health problems associated with diabetes are:

• tooth decay;
• periodontal (gum) disease;
• salivary gland dysfunction;
• fungal infections;
• lichen planus and lichenoid reactions (inflammatory skin disease);
• infection and delayed healing;
• taste impairment.

Is there a connection between diabetes and periodontal (gum) disease?

Because diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, the gums are among the tissues likely to be affected. Periodontal diseases are infections of the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place.

Periodontal disease is often linked to the control of diabetes. For example, patients with inadequate blood sugar control appear to develop periodontal disease more often and more severely, and they lose more teeth than persons who have good control of their diabetes.

Other oral conditions that can be associated with diabetes

We all know that saliva helps wash away food particles and keeps the mouth moist. But did you know that without adequate saliva, bacteria continue to colonize. Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common complaint among diabetic dental patients and patients undergoing radiation of the head and neck for cancer therapy. Constant dryness irritates the mouth’s soft tissues, often making them inflamed and painful. This condition greatly increases the risk of tooth decay and periodontal diseases.

Your Ottawa family dentist may recommend a saliva substitute that can be used for relief from dry mouth discomfort. Your dentist may also recommend rinsing with a fluoride mouth rinse or having a topical application of fluoride at home and in the dental office to help prevent rampant tooth decay. These products are sold over-the-counter at pharmacies.

Using sugarless gum, sugarless mints, taking frequent sips of water or using melting ice chips may help alleviate a dry mouth. Restricting intake of caffeine and alcohol also can help.

Oral candidiasis, a fungal infection in the mouth, appears to occur more frequently among persons with diabetes including those who wear dentures. Your Ottawa Family Dentist may prescribe antifungal medications to treat this condition. Good oral hygiene is critical.

Lichen planus is a skin disorder that produces lesions in the mouth.

Oral surgery concerns

Infection is a risk for the diabetic patient and can make it more difficult to control blood glucose levels. If you are having extensive oral surgery, your Ottawa family dentist may prescribe antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection. Keep your blood glucose levels under control before, during and after surgery to help the healing process.