Diabetes: Oral Health Risk Factors

Diabetes is a systemic disease the compromises the natural ability of the body to process sugar. This eventually diminishes the overall ability of the body to ward off infection.

Diabetes affects various parts of the body, among the most prominent of which include the eyes, nerves, kidneys, and heart. The mouth, too, is far from being an exception.

Dental Anomalies: Risk Factors

People who suffer from diabetes are usually at a higher than normal risk of developing a number of dental anomalies. Among the most prominent oral health problems associated with diabetes include: dry mouth, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Dry mouth. Uncontrolled diabetes decreases saliva product, resulting to xerostomia. More popularly referred to as dry mouth, xerostomia is a gateway condition, which leads to a number of more serious dental anomalies in no time. These include, among others, tooth decay and gum disease.

Tooth decay. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes have more glucose in their saliva than necessary. High glucose levels in the saliva, especially when combined with dry mouth, allows plaque to build up overtime. When left unremoved, plaque hardens to calcified substance calculus. More popularly referred to as tartar, calculus consist of food debris and tooth-decay causing bacteria which damages dental enamel.

Gum Disease. Diabetics, especially those who don’t have their sugar-level under control, are extremely susceptible to bacterial infection, which damages periodontal soft tissues and supporting bone structures. Gum disease, medically known as periodontitis occur more frequently and at more severe level in people with diabetes because of their already compromised ability to ward off bacterial infection and slower healing.

Dentist in Nambour

It is imperative for people with diabetes to observe good dental hygiene. More importantly, to keep their teeth and gums in good shape, it is required for diabetics to seek preventive dental upkeep which mainly include regular dental checkups, periodontal screenings, and professional dental cleanings.

Your local in Sunshine Coast at Smiles Nambour has long since committed his practice to making the very best of modern dentistry available to the local Sunshine Coast community and its surrounding regions. Same Day Appointment Available, Request it Now! Call us at (07) 5441 4438, or simply by booking an appointment online.