“Can having diabetes make you more likely to have dental issues?”
I am a 32 year old male. I want to know can having diabetes make you more likely to have dental issues?
6 Answers
Yes, due to increased cavities and infections.
Yes diabetes is one of the medical conditions that can worsen tooth decay. I always tell patients with diabetes to be extra diligent with oral care ( brushing and flossing). I also recommend they come in every 4 months instead of every 6.
Diabetes makes immunity compromised, therefore more likely any infection can happen.
Yes a diabetic person's immune system is compromised and it will not be as effective against bacteria, therefore gum infections, and tooth loss are not uncommon among diabetics, and other people where their immune system is compromised.
Yes, absolutely. Uncontrolled or even poorly managed diabetic conditions can have pronounced intra oral effects. In fact, oral health can be a means by which diabetic conditions become more immediately known. Signs of concern include: generalized inflammation in gingiva (gum tissues) when home care is adequate and accurate, poor healing of routine traumas (biting cheek, tongue or pizza burns), a generalized rapid progression of circumferential caries (cavities going around the tooth at the gum line) and rapid progression of periodontal bone loss where there is no clinical evidence to support the condition. Great question - long answer because it’s very concerning.
Hello,
Yes, uncontrolled diabetes can make someone more likely to have dental issues. Diabetes alters a persons immune system causing it to respond slower, and wounds longer to heal. One of the biggest concerns for someone with uncontrolled diabetes is periodontal disease (periodontitis). Periodontal disease is an illness that causes the gum tissues (gingiva) and bone around the teeth to recede. The reason for this is due to the bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria are kept in control by growing in competition with other bacteria and when they get too big, the body's immune system. Now if the body's immune system is altered because of diabetes, the bacteria cause an inflammatory reaction in the gingiva which is also harder to heal due to the altered immune system. Yes, it is a double jeopardy situation. Prolong inflammation can lead to receding of the gingiva around the teeth. If this is left unattended, then the teeth can become loose and eventually fall out. It is worth noting that this is usually the process in uncontrolled diabetes and that when diabetes is controlled by diet, exercise, and medicine then the likelihood of the periodontal disease process is a lot lower. One can only know if the diabetes is under control by consistent monitoring of the blood glucose. Constantly switch medications is a sign of uncontrolled diabetes.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Yes, uncontrolled diabetes can make someone more likely to have dental issues. Diabetes alters a persons immune system causing it to respond slower, and wounds longer to heal. One of the biggest concerns for someone with uncontrolled diabetes is periodontal disease (periodontitis). Periodontal disease is an illness that causes the gum tissues (gingiva) and bone around the teeth to recede. The reason for this is due to the bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria are kept in control by growing in competition with other bacteria and when they get too big, the body's immune system. Now if the body's immune system is altered because of diabetes, the bacteria cause an inflammatory reaction in the gingiva which is also harder to heal due to the altered immune system. Yes, it is a double jeopardy situation. Prolong inflammation can lead to receding of the gingiva around the teeth. If this is left unattended, then the teeth can become loose and eventually fall out. It is worth noting that this is usually the process in uncontrolled diabetes and that when diabetes is controlled by diet, exercise, and medicine then the likelihood of the periodontal disease process is a lot lower. One can only know if the diabetes is under control by consistent monitoring of the blood glucose. Constantly switch medications is a sign of uncontrolled diabetes.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
