Diabetes And Your Mouth
We diabetics have to pay even more
attention to our teeth and gums than other people.
We are at greater risk of cavities,
gum disease and tooth infections. Not only that, but those
infections can cause our blood sugar to rise, so it becomes
a vicious cycle.
Here are some mouth problems common
in diabetics.
Plaque
Plaque is, of course, a problem for
many people, not just diabetics. But it's caused by starches
and sugars, and of course we have more than our share of
those! So diabetics are highly prone to plaque.
Dry mouth
Sometimes my mouth is so dry in the
morning I can hardly speak—I'm sure you know how that feels.
But it's more than just inconvenient, it's dangerous to the
health of our mouths. You see, saliva washes away many of
the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Dry mouth
cuts the amount of saliva available for this job, so the
result is more cavities and gum disease. Dry mouth sometimes
also creates inflammation of the soft tissue in the mouth,
making eating difficult and unpleasant.
While there are artificial saliva
substitutes, which your dentist can tell you about, you can
usually stimulate your own saliva by sucking on a sugar-free
hard candy. I like no-sugar-added Ricola for this purpose.
And of course, drinking water helps.
Fungal infections
Not only do we diabetics have less
saliva than we need, but the saliva we do have is high in
sugar content, so it's double trouble for us. This can cause
a fungal infection called candiasis, commonly known as
thrush. It produces sore red or white spots in the mouth.
Medication can help though, so ask your dentist.
As a diabetic, you must pay great
attention to oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day, and
floss daily. Examine your gums for signs of problems—and
always visit your dentist at least twice a year.
Bob Fleming suffers from Type 2
diabetes, but he does everything he can to suffer as little
as possible! Visit his website at
http://www.thediabetesinfoplace.com for informative
articles and resources. |
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