{"id":20425,"date":"2023-04-25T01:41:40","date_gmt":"2023-04-25T06:41:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20425"},"modified":"2023-07-19T10:50:41","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T15:50:41","slug":"diabetes-and-oral-health-a-comprehensive-guide-for-diabetics-and-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/diabetes-and-oral-health-a-comprehensive-guide-for-diabetics-and-families\/","title":{"rendered":"Diabetes and Oral Health: A Comprehensive Guide for Diabetics and Families"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many different <\/span>disabilities that can negatively affect oral healthcare outcomes<\/span><\/a>. Diabetes, in particular, is one of the <\/span>most prevalent chronic diseases in America<\/span><\/a> and is known to be associated with a variety of serious oral health issues.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can <\/span>weaken enamel and promote tooth decay<\/span><\/a>, contributing to increased rates of cavity formation and tooth loss among diabetics. Additionally, individuals with diabetes are <\/span>three times more likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease<\/span><\/a> than those without.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re living with diabetes, you may already be fully or partially aware of this risk. However, there\u2019s a lot to unpack when discussing the relationship between oral health and diabetes, and a lot to learn about mitigating the threats it poses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Understanding diabetes<\/h2>\n

Diabetes is<\/span><\/a> a chronic health condition that affects how the body processes sugar in the blood. When you eat, your body converts the food into sugar and releases it into the bloodstream, causing your blood glucose levels to increase.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Normally, your body responds to this increase in blood sugar by releasing insulin from the pancreas, which helps you process the sugar into energy for your cells. However, when you have diabetes, your body isn\u2019t able to make and\/or process insulin correctly, and the excess sugar from food will remain in your bloodstream.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over time, this can lead to several serious health issues if blood sugar levels aren\u2019t properly managed, including heart disease, kidney disease and vision loss. There is currently no cure for diabetes, but the condition can be controlled with medication, exercise and a healthy diet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Centers for disease control (CDC), over <\/span>37 million American adults in the United States have diabetes<\/span><\/a>. Unfortunately, diabetes also has a morbidity rate, as it is the seventh most common cause of death in the U.S., and the leading cause of kidney failure. Lower limb amputations and adult blindness are also fairly common among adults with untreated diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As time passes, diabetes becomes more common as well, as the number of diagnoses has more than doubled over the past 20 years.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of diabetes<\/h2>\n

There are three types of diabetes; type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes<\/span>. <\/span>Type 1 diabetes<\/span><\/a>, a condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, most commonly appears during adolescence and is usually caused by genetic factors.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In cases of type 2 diabetes, the pancreas begins producing less insulin, or the body develops a resistance to insulin over time. It can occur in children, but <\/span>type 2 diabetes is most common in adults over the age of 45<\/span><\/a>, and is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle-related factors. It is by far the most common type, as <\/span>90-95% of all diabetics have type 2<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gestational diabetes<\/span><\/a> is a less common type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy in women who aren\u2019t already diabetic. The exact cause of gestational diabetes is unknown, but it may be related to hormones that cause the mother to build up insulin resistance. Approximately <\/span>2%-10% of pregnancies in the U.S. are affected by gestational diabetes<\/span><\/a> every year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The connection between diabetes and oral health \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Diabetes can impact many different areas of the body, and oral health is not immune. <\/span>Diabetics are more prone to oral health conditions<\/span><\/a> like gingivitis and periodontitis, and may also have greater difficulty recovering from these issues because of their illness. There are several specific ways in which the effects of diabetes on the body can contribute to poor oral health outcomes:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Increased blood sugar<\/h2>\n

High blood glucose from diabetes can impact oral health in several ways. Over time, high sugar levels in the blood <\/span>can also lead to glucose building up in saliva<\/span><\/a>, which can substantially contribute to plaque formation and tooth decay.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to changing the composition of saliva, high blood sugar from diabetes can <\/span>also cause dry mouth<\/span><\/a>, or xerostomia, which is a general lack of moisture in the mouth. Along with causing discomfort and bad breath, chronic <\/span>dry mouth<\/span><\/a> can accelerate plaque buildup, leading to issues like mouth sores and infections.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood vessel thickening<\/h2>\n

Poor circulation is a common diabetes-related problem that can also impact oral health. For diabetics, high glucose levels in the blood can cause fatty deposits to build up inside the blood vessels. This makes the vessels harder and narrower, which can limit blood flow throughout the body, leading to <\/span>Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to reduced sensation in the arms and legs, circulatory issues caused by PAD can lead to slower wound healing throughout the body. This lack of blood flow can deprive the gums of important nutrients and reduce the body\u2019s ability to fight off oral infections. For some patients, this can cause mild conditions like gingivitis to quickly develop into more severe issues like periodontal disease and bone loss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Periodontal disease<\/h2>\n

Due to factors like high blood sugar and poor circulation, <\/span>people with diabetes have a higher risk of periodontal disease<\/span><\/a>, an advanced form of gingivitis caused by an infection of the gums and bones that hold the teeth in place. Also known as gum disease, <\/span>periodontal disease can cause symptoms<\/span><\/a> such as gum recession, bleeding, swelling and tenderness.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually, periodontal disease can cause teeth to become loose and even fall out if it isn\u2019t properly treated. Slow wound healing caused by diabetes can also complicate the treatment of periodontal disease and lengthen recovery times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diabetic-friendly foods for oral health<\/h2>\n

Diet is a major consideration for managing diabetes and maintaining good oral health. Poor dietary practices such as excessive sugar consumption are common in America, and likely contribute to the <\/span>prevalence of diabetes among the general population<\/span><\/a>. Eating too much sugar can also lead to a variety of serious oral health issues, which can be further exacerbated by the symptoms of diabetes.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Working around the dietary limitations of diabetes can be challenging, especially for people with busy schedules, so it’s important to find healthy alternatives to sugar that are still satisfying. Fortunately, there are a variety of enjoyable <\/span>foods that are diabetes-friendly<\/span><\/a> and can support oral health:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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