How Does Diabetes Affect Dental Health

Diabetes is very pervasive in our society today. Believe it or not, the connection between oral health and physical health, with respect to diabetes, is very connected.

Gum Disease

One of the things that we see often with diabetes patients is an increased risk for gum disease. If your diabetes starts to get out of control, we also see that in gum disease. If your diabetes is well controlled, sometimes the gum disease is not present.

Healing Rate

Diabetes and other health conditions often cause a delay in healing. So, if you have diabetes, you can expect a slower healing rate. If your diabetes is well controlled, then the healing rate is more normal.

Dry Mouth

Patients with diabetes are often taking other medications as well, and many medications can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is a major culprit in cavities and other oral conditions. If you have a dry mouth, you have an increased risk of cavities. Your saliva is very protective in nature.

Thrush When you have diabetes, you also have an increased risk of thrush. Dry mouth can lead to a colonization of fungal infection in the mouth. Although this can be easily treated with medications, it’s important that you keep this under control for all kinds of general health reasons, as well as just the overall health of your mouth.