People Suffering from Diabetes Have a High Risk of Oral Health Problems

Health advocates have been recommending regular dental checkups in order to maintain oral health. It removes tartar that can lead to gum diseases. They also said that regular dental checkups allow patients to discover whether they have other potential health problems including diabetes.

People suffering from diabetes have a high risk of oral health problems due to the changing levels of blood sugar that weakens white blood cells, which are the main defense of the body against diseases. They are sent out by the body when bacteria or virus are present in the body. When the white blood cells are not functioning properly, the body’s defense system is compromised and infections will occur in the mouth and any other part of the body.

People suffering from diabetes are found to have certain oral symptoms. If diabetes is uncontrolled, it can lead to a reduction in saliva flow. They often have dry mouth. Saliva is vital because it washes away bacteria found in the mouth.

Inflammation of the gum can happen when diabetes makes the blood vessels thicker, which slows the flow of waste and nutrients from body tissues. Increase in bacteria as well as the compromised state of white blood cells can cause periodontal disease. Uncontrolled diabetes will also make it harder for the mouth and other body parts to heal. It can cause persistent mouth infections and other irritations. Thrush is often seen among diabetics. It is a condition wherein there is a large amount of yeast in the body that can cause soreness and white patches in the mouth.

The American Diabetes Association said that not only diabetics are susceptible to gum disease. They also stated that serious gum disease can affect blood glucose control and lead to the development of diabetes.

Photo by Mikael Häggström [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons