Diabetes and dental health are connected. Diabetes can result in high blood sugar levels that affect your whole body, including your gums and teeth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than ten percent of Americans have diabetes. Although not many people are aware of the oral health problems associated with diabetes, you are making an important step towards becoming more educated.
Preventing oral problems in your child is within your reach. Find out how diabetes and oral health are connected and how you can take charge.
What Is Diabetes?
According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report, around 210,000 children under 20 years old have been diagnosed with diabetes in the United States.
Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels due to insulin problems. It has two types:
Type 1
Type 1 diabetes and the dental health problems it causes are more common in children than adults. It occurs when the pancreas can’t produce insulin, the hormone that controls the amount of glucose in the bloodstream and its uptake into cells. Treatment for type 1 diabetes involves insulin monitoring and lifelong use to keep blood sugar levels within a target range.
Type 2
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces insulin that doesn’t work correctly, leading to a buildup of glucose in the bloodstream.
It can be diagnosed in children and adolescents but is not as common as type 1 diabetes; it’s more common in adults. Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes occurrence and childhood obesity are on the rise. According to the CDC, obesity was a major problem in around 18.5% of children and adolescents in the United States in 2015-2016.
Having a parent or sibling with diabetes increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Sometimes, medication is necessary for type 2 diabetes patients. Dietary changes, more exercise, and maintaining a moderate weight also help manage type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes and Dental Health
Having high blood sugar means your saliva also has high blood sugar content. Bacteria in your mouth and plaque, the sticky film coating your teeth, digest these sugars and produce acids that lead to tooth decay, cavities, or gum disease. It can also lead to tooth loss if not immediately treated.
Diabetes can make gum problems more severe and take longer to heal. In turn, gum disease makes diabetes management more difficult.
Dental Problems Diabetic Patients Face
Managing blood sugar is crucial, regardless of type. High blood sugars put you at higher risk of the following, according to most diabetes and oral health research:
Dry Mouth
People with diabetes may also experience reduced saliva production, which leads to a dry mouth. Not having enough saliva to keep the mouth moist and protect teeth from bacteria can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and thrush.
Gingivitis
Diabetes reduces your ability to fight off infections. Without proper oral hygiene, you don’t remove the plaque, which can harden beneath your gumline and turn into tartar.
Plaque and tartar that remain on your teeth and gums for too long can irritate the gums, also known as gingiva. They may swell and bleed easily over time, the earliest form of gum disease known as gingivitis.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the more severe form of gum disease. Left untreated, it can severely damage your teeth, bones, and soft tissue. Periodontitis can eventually cause your jawbone and gums to pull away from your teeth, making them lose and fall out.
Diabetes can make periodontitis more severe; the body’s ability to resist infections and heal quickly slows down. Meanwhile, periodontitis can also increase blood sugar, making diabetes management more difficult.
Tooth Decay
Plaque forms when starches and sugars in food and drinks interact with bacteria. Because a lot of bacteria live in your mouth, they produce acids that weaken the enamel or your teeth’s outer protection. Weak enamel leaves your teeth vulnerable to cavities and gum disease.
Thrush
Diabetes patients are also more likely to get thrush, a condition caused by the yeast Candida albicans. It causes red or white painful patches in your mouth. Good oral hygiene helps prevent thrush.
Dental Care for Diabetic Patients
Diabetes and oral health problems are more manageable with proper dental care.
These tips can help you prevent oral problems from developing:
Manage their blood sugar levels.
Follow your child’s doctor’s directions to maintain their blood sugar within a specific range. Your child is less likely to get gingivitis or other dental problems if you help them have better control of their sugar levels.
Do not skip brushing and flossing.
Brush your child’s teeth after every meal and snack. Use a fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush, and avoid brushing too hard; otherwise, you may irritate their gums. Don’t forget to replace their toothbrush every three months or whenever they become worn down.
It’s also best if your child flosses at least once a day to help remove plaque from between their teeth. Use waxed floss if it’s difficult to get the floss through their teeth. You can also use a floss holder if maneuvering the floss is too difficult.
Visit the dentist regularly.
Visiting your child’s dentist at least twice a year allows them to have professionally-cleaned teeth and checkups that keep their teeth and gums healthy.
Check your child’s blood sugar levels before going to their appointment.
Dentists won’t perform dental procedures if blood sugar levels are not within a certain range. Ensure your child eats and takes medicine before heading to the dentist’s office. Bring snacks if necessary. It’s also best to reschedule non-emergency procedures if your child’s blood sugar is out of control.
Inform your child’s dentist about their condition.
Telling your child’s dentist about your child’s diabetes will allow the dentist to create a treatment plan tailored for your child’s specific needs. You should also provide the details of your child’s doctor so they can work together and create the best treatment plan for your child.
Key Takeaway
Diabetes is a difficult condition to have at a young age, and the statistics are not getting any better with the rise of childhood obesity. Diabetes can increase your child’s risk of having dental problems like dry mouth, gum disease, and cavities that can negatively impact their health in the long run. Dental health and diabetes are connected; caring for one improves the other. Parents can help their children care for their teeth by managing their blood sugar levels, helping them practice good oral hygiene, and regularly taking them to the dentist.
Manage your child’s diabetes and oral health with Sunrise Dentistry.
Face diabetes head-on. Sunrise Dentistry is here to help you keep your child’s diabetes and dental health in check. Our nearby Pagosa Springs dentists perform general dentistry procedures that keep teeth and gums strong and healthy.
