Why does having diabetes affect my oral health?

People with diabetes are at greater risk for developing some oral health problems.

Diabetes is a chronic disease which affects your body’s ability to process sugar. The resulting high blood sugar can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. Diabetes can lower your resistance to infection and can slow the healing process. Keeping blood sugar levels under control can help in preventing some of these problems as well as making treatments easier.

Diabetes affects your oral health, as well as the health of your skin, eyes, heart, kidneys, and more. Diabetes has a major effect on every part of your body, whether you realize it or not.  You can control diabetes' effect on your general and dental health by staying on top of your blood glucose levels. When your blood sugar levels are not controlled, you are at risk for problems that happen without your knowledge. You can get gum disease, even though you can't see the noticeable signs. If you have periodontal disease, it can get worse--quickly. You can get more problems with dry mouth, which leads to cavities and gum disease. If you have thrush (fungus) or mouth ulcers, it may take time for these problems to heal.  When your blood glucose is uncontrolled, it affects your white blood cells, the body's main defenses against infections.  Periodontal disease is the main dental infection associated with diabetes.