Diabetes is an invasive disorder. One fully understands how sensitive every part of their body is to sugar only when they suffer from diabetes. Diabetics often find that their eyesight takes a hit whenever their sugar levels are too low or too high. Wounds take longer to heal and the body’s ability to fight off infections is compromised. So how can diabetes affect your oral health? Read on.
Diabetes and Oral Health
The good news here is that keeping a tab on your diabetes is a great way to make sure that your oral health is in good shape. But any oral complications can make it hard for you to control and manage your blood sugar levels.
A high blood sugar level means means bacteria can have an ideal environment to grow in. High sugar means that there is almost endless food supply for bacteria to nourish themselves. Besides oral problems, you may just have some symptoms, one of the most common, dry mouth.
A dry mouth may mean more cavities, harder time tasting food, and more wear and tear to your gums and inner cheek area. Chewing becomes painful as well—making it harder to consume food. The muscles in your mouth suffer a lot.
Specific Oral Conditions
Periodontal Disease is one very common oral condition that affects diabetics. In this disease, the gums become red, swollen, and tender to touch. They often bleed and expose the root—causing unbearable insensitivity. Plaque deposits in between the teeth and the area starts to emit a foul smell.
Fungal infections are also rampant. The sore red or white areas in the mouth are forms of fungal infections, which are a direct reaction to excessive blood sugar.
You may also suffer from burning mouth syndrome which comes from no immediate cause—but doesn’t seem to go away. Diabetics also suffer from oral surgery complications—which is why all oral problems, however small, should be treated at the earliest in case you are a diabetic.