“Is tooth decay common with diabetes?”
Ever since I was diagnosed, officially, with diabetes, I've noticed that my teeth have been getting cavities--and that I had a lot more dental issues than I normally would. Are these dental issues related to diabetes?
6 Answers
Whether diabetes or not, one's diet & home care will affect the amount of decay one will have, in addition to other factors.
No, but gum disease is as with this disease your immunity to bacteria is depressed and you are more prone to periodontitis.
Not as much as gum disease. Decay is usually caused by the medications you are taking for it.
Yes, diabetes weakens the immune response to the bacteria that cause decay. Oral hygiene must be increased in regularity and thoroughness to combat the bacterial colonies.
There are no studies I have seen or heard of linking diabetes and tooth decay. Diabetes is strongly linked with gum disease however. With gum disease you get loss of gum attachment to the teeth exposing the root surface of the teeth and making them more susceptible to decay. Many different medications can cause dry mouth from decreased saliva flow which can increase tooth decay also. So even though there are no studies I know of directly linking tooth decay to diabetes it can indirectly contribute to it.
Uncontrolled diabetes may lead to numerous gum and dental problems.
