How does diabetes cause problems with my teeth and gums?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to use and store glucose, which is a form of sugar. Glucose is what your body uses for energy. As a result of not being able to store the glucose it backs up in your blood stream resulting in high blood sugar. This places your system into a metabolic imbalance.

There are two types of diabetes. Type I is juvenile onset diabetes also known as insulin dependent diabetes. This is where the body stops producing insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and it is a hormone that enables your body to store glucose. Glucose comes from food that you ingest and is used by your body for energy. This disease is controlled by daily insulin injections.

Type II diabetes is also known as adult onset diabetes. This is a non-insulin dependent disease. The body doesn't produce enough insulin, and/or is unable to use the insulin properly. This insulin resistance diabetes usually appears after age forty.

It is very important to control the symptoms of diabetes to control the blood sugar. The symptoms are varied. An insatiable thirst becomes very obvious. There is frequent urination  and an unexplained weight loss even though you are hungry and eat all the time. Your vision becomes blurry and you are fatigued and irritable quite often. There is a tingliness and numbness to the hands and feet. You have frequent skin infections and bladder infections. Your gums have frequent infections if your oral hygiene is not  meticulous. quite often a diabetic develops wounds that don't heal.

Dentally the dryness in your mouth will cause an increase in decay. Saliva is necessary for the oral cavity in cleansing the teeth. In our office we treat this with Pilocarpine(Salogen) five milligrams daily. We get it in an ophthalmic solution and have the patient place it on gum or  a mint sweetened with Xylitol. This works quite well to increase salivary flow. Also we place the patient on a fluoride supplement and oral hygiene instructions.

Periodontally the oral hygiene must be perfect as well. In this disease the circulation is compromised so the patient's immune reaction is compromised, as well. Flossing is an absolute must. Tooth brushing is also a task that must be done perfectly every day. Remember, the wounds don't heal as well.

In conclusion, ultimately your health care is your responsibility. In part with your healthcare provider this disease can easily be managed.

People with diabetes are at an increased risk for gum disease. It is very important to visit your dental office at least twice a year (or more if recommended) for a dental exam and professional cleaning. You should also practice meticulous home care - brushing twice daily and cleaning between your teeth once a day. One product that has been tested on people with diabetes and found to really help reduce bleeding and gingivitis is the Water Flosser. It has also been shown to be as effective as string dental floss.