Does Diabetes Impact Dental Health?

Diabetes impacts most major organs, including your heart and kidneys. So, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that it can affect your dental health, too. Seeing your dentist in Indianapolis, IN, is the key to controlling that impact.

How Diabetes Affects Oral Health: What’s the Connection?

Diabetes impairs the body’s ability to fight infections. That can have a significant impact on oral health.

Gum Disease

The risk of gum disease increases with diabetes. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels make it hard to fight bacterial infections in the gums. That can lead to gum disease in those who don’t already have it. It can also slow the healing for those who do.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is another side effect of diabetes that can mess with dental health. Saliva helps wash food debris off teeth and gums, as well as neutralize the acids produced by bacteria. It is these acids that erode the enamel on teeth, leading to cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Increased Sugars

Bacteria thrive in environments where sugars are high. High blood sugar helps foster that environment, meaning the levels of bacteria increase. Higher levels of bacteria increase your risk for tooth decay and cavities.

How Gum Disease Impacts Diabetes

Gum disease also affects how your body controls the level of sugar in your blood. When your body detects an infection in the gum, it triggers an inflammatory response to fight it. That response increases blood sugar levels in a way that might reduce the impact of diabetes medication. It can also make cells more resistant to insulin.

For those with diabetes, the best defence you have against its impact is to manage your blood sugar effectively. That means taking your medication, controlling your diet, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups.

The health inside your mouth is intricately linked to your overall well-being. Preventative visits with your dentist in Indianapolis, IN, enable you to catch issues before they become a problem. If you have diabetes, please call Indiana Emergency Dental today to schedule a consultation.