How To Treat Dry Mouth From Diabetes
Xerostomia is an ominous sounding name for a fairly common condition suffered by approximately 20% of the population, one that most people tend to underestimate, a dry mouth. In essence, having a dry mouth means the body is not producing enough saliva, which helps the mouth stay clean while removing harmful bacteria that can cause cavities and other painful infections in the mouth. Saliva neutralizes the acid in the mouth and is an important part of the digestive process as it provides the moisture needed to chew and swallow food. Dry Mouth Causes There are many causes of dry mouth, such as not drinking enough liquid during the day, smoking, and sleeping with your mouth open, among others. Dry mouth can also be caused by certain types of medication, such ADHD medicine, anti-histamines, antidepressants, sleep medications, and narcotics. When this is the case, the problem tends to disappear once the underlying cause is removed, meaning that a dry mouth is usually nothing more than a temporary problem with an easy fix. However, for individuals suffering from diabetes, having a dry mouth can be more than just a mild annoyance. Dry Mouth Caused by Diabetes A dry mouth can exacerbate the side effects of diabetes, which will then lead to an increase in glucose levels, wreaking havoc on the body. A dry mouth is not only a symptom of high blood sugar, but it can also be the cause of it. Having a dry mouth, especially as a diabetic, can lead to rampant tooth decay, which means blood sugar increases as the body tries, and fails, to fight infection. A dry mouth can also lead to loss of sleep and an altered sense of taste, a condition that presents with a metallic or sour taste in the mouth. Treatments for Dry Mouth Caused by Diabetes Because of the harmful effects of having a dry m Continue reading >>
Diabetes & Dental Health
Diabetes can cause serious problems in your mouth. You can do something about it. If you have diabetes, make sure you take care of your mouth. People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place and may lead to painful chewing problems. Some people with serious gum disease lose their teeth. Periodontal disease may also make it hard to control your blood glucose (blood sugar). Other problems diabetes can cause are dry mouth and a fungal infection called thrush. Dry mouth happens when you do not have enough salivathe fluid that keeps your mouth wet. Diabetes may also cause the glucose level in your saliva to increase. Together, these problems may lead to thrush, which causes painful white patches in your mouth. If your diabetes is not under control, you are more likely to develop problems in your mouth. The good news is you can keep your teeth and gums healthy. By controlling your blood glucose, brushing and flossing every day, and visiting a dentist regularly, you can help prevent serious problems in your mouth. Take steps to keep your mouth healthy. Call your dentist when you notice a problem. If you have diabetes, follow these steps: Visit your dentist regularly. Be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes. Tell your dentist if your dentures (false teeth) do not fit right, or if your gums are sore. Quit smoking. Smoking makes gum disease worse. Your physician or dentist can help you quit. Take time to check your mouth regularly for any problems. Sometimes people notice that their gums bleed when they brush and floss. Others notice dryness, soreness, white patches, or a bad taste in the mouth. All of these are reasons to visit your dentist. Rem Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Mouth Diseases
People with poorly-controlled diabetes are more susceptible to mouth diseases such as cavities, gum diseases, oral infections and chronic bad breath. Here is an overview of the various diseases of the mouth that can plague some diabetics. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, the risk of tooth loss is greater among diabetics than for non-diabetics—especially among the elderly. The study was based on an analysis of data for more than 2,500 Americans who were over 50 years of age. The researchers discovered that diabetics (both type 1 and type 2) were missing an average of nearly ten teeth each compared to less than seven teeth for non-diabetics. They also found that diabetics are twice as likely to have lost all their teeth. Among the subjects of the study, 28% of the diabetics had no teeth at all, compared to just 14% of non-diabetics. The study also discovered that, while those who have poorly controlled diabetes are most likely to experience tooth decay, even diabetics who have their disease under control are more likely to suffer from gum disease compared to non-diabetics. Unless you have been in a fight, falling teeth are nearly always due to gum disease. However, the damage diabetes does to your mouth is not limited to falling teeth. How diabetes affects your mouth and teeth Your mouth includes your teeth, your gums, your jaw, and tissues such as your tongue, the roof and bottom of your mouth, and the inside of your cheeks. All of these can be affected by diabetes. The most common problems diabetics get in their mouths are: tooth decay (cavities) early gum disease (gingivitis) advanced gum disease (periodontitis) thrush dry mouth (xerostomia) burning mouth syndrome These problems are not confined to those of us who have Continue reading >>
- Mouthwash may kill beneficial bacteria in mouth and trigger diabetes, Harvard study suggests
- Slideshow: Diabetes and Your Mouth
- Is it possible to catch diabetes? It sounds absurd, but that's what a reputable new study suggests. And it may be that other 'lifestyle' diseases such as joint pain and even obesity are contagious, too
Slideshow: Diabetes And Your Mouth
According to Diabetes UK, having type 2 diabetes makes you three times more likely to have oral health issues. Type 1 makes you more vulnerable too. Diabetes impairs your ability to fight infection, while high blood sugar encourages the growth of bacteria, making you more susceptible to: Sore, inflamed or bleeding gums (gingivitis) Loose teeth or inflamed ligaments and bone (periodontitis) People with diabetes who have persistent high blood sugar levels are running the risk of dental problems. Keeping your blood sugar under control will help protect your mouth and help reduce the risk of conditions like dry mouth, gum disease, tooth loss and oral thrush. As infection can also increase your blood sugar, it can make your diabetes even harder to control. So, taking care of your mouth can also help manage your blood sugar. Because you are more prone to infections, it's especially important to see your dentist regularly and talk about your diabetes. You should get a check-up as often as advised and tell your dentist about any medicines you take. Regular checkups and cleaning will help keep your mouth healthy. Also, ask your dentist to show you the best ways to take good care of your teeth and gums at home. High blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can make tooth decay and gum disease worse. Try to avoid plaque accumulating on your teeth after you eat. Plaque, combined with food, saliva and bacteria, releases acids that attack your tooth enamel. If it's not removed, plaque turns into tartar, which builds under gum lines and is difficult to remove by flossing. So, brushing your teeth properly and taking care of your gums can prevent and treat gum disease, while improving your overall health. It's estimated thataround 1 in every 3 adults in the UK has tooth decay.You ca Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Oral Health
Resize font A- A A+ Diabetes and Oral Health During the past 10 years, much research has been undertaken on the link between diabetes and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the sixth leading complication of diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop periodontal disease, with a higher rate of more severe levels of bone loss and gum infection.1 What Is Diabetes? Diabetes is a serious disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches, and other foods into energy. Normally, insulin helps get sugar from the blood to the body's cells, where it is used for energy. When you have diabetes, your body has trouble making and/or using insulin, so your body does not get the fuel it needs and your blood sugar stays too high. High blood sugar sets off processes that can lead to complications, such as heart, kidney, and eye disease, or other serious problems.2,3 If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop periodontal disease. Are There Different Types of Diabetes? It is estimated that more than 20 million adults and children in the United States have some form of diabetes–14 million having been diagnosed with the disease and 6 million being unaware they have it. There are different types of the disease: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, as well as prediabetes. Most Americans (around 90%) who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.2,3 What Is Periodontal Disease? Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums, ligaments, and bone that support your teeth and hold them in the jaw. If left untreated, you may experience tooth loss. The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial Continue reading >>
How Good Oral Health Helps Manage Diabetes
How good oral health helps manage diabetes The connection between your mouth and diabetes is simple. Its a cycle. Manage your mouth and you help manage your diabetes. Heres how it works. Taking care of your mouth cuts down on germs that cause gum disease. Having gum disease can raise your blood sugar. Elevated blood sugar provides an ideal environment for germs. More germs means an increased chance of gum disease (people with diabetes are 3x more likely to have gum disease). Notice how were back at the beginning of this cycle? Like type 2 diabetes, gum disease is often silent, which means symptoms can be hard to detect. Here are the warning signs: Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard foods Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite, or a change in the fit of partial dentures. The great news? There are a few simple steps you can take to avoid, and EVEN REVERSE, this cycle. Youre probably already doing some of them. Floss daily. Flossing tracks down and removes the pesky germs and food bits lurking between your teeth that lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing cleans 40% of your teeth surfaces that brushing cant reach. Snack smart. Grazing on sweet and sticky foods and drinks feeds the germs in your mouth leading to decay. When you snack, choose cheese, nuts, yogurt, lean meats, fruits, and veggies.. And eat your snack (or sweet drink) all at once rather than nibbling or sipping continuously throughout the day. Get your mouth checked. Make a visit to a dentist regularly for an oral health checkup. Checkups help spot problems early, such gum disease, which might affect your diabetes and your overall health. Prevention will save you money down the road. Brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Oral Health – A Two-way Street
Diabetic living and dental care How does diabetes affect the teeth and gums? Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes. While many are aware of the condition’s associated risks such as stroke, eye disease and kidney disease, they may be less informed about the important connection between diabetes and oral health. In fact, diabetes and oral health can go hand-in-hand: People with poorly controlled diabetes are more likely to develop oral health complications like gum disease, which in turn can contribute to the progression of diabetes. Ultimately, it’s especially important for those with diabetes and signs of diabetes to keep their mouth, teeth and gums as healthy as possible.1 How does diabetes affect dental health? People with diabetes are generally more prone to bacterial infections like gum disease.1 Experts believe that diabetes can also reduce saliva production, another risk factor of gum disease.4 While everyone has some level of bacteria in the mouth, people with poorly controlled diabetes may experience more rapid bacteria growth due to high blood glucose (sugar). Glucose is present in saliva and bad bacteria in the mouth feeds off of it.4 When bacteria combine with food particles and other substances, it can form plaque, one of the main causes of gum disease.3 How does gum disease impact diabetes health risks? Since diabetes decreases the body’s ability to fight and resist infection, it can cause gum disease can be more severe and take longer to heal. If left untreated, early gum disease (gingivitis) can progress into a serious gum infection called periodontitis. As the disease worsens, it can destroy the tissues and bone that hold the teeth in place, eventually causing tooth loss.3 Periodontitis may impact the body’s ability to control blood glucose ( Continue reading >>
How Diabetes Can Affect Your Oral Health
> How diabetes can affect your oral health Diabetes affects people all over the world. Early detection can allow you to get treatment sooner and potentially avoid further complications. If you have diabetes, it's also important to know how this increases your risk of developing certain oral health conditions, and how you can lower these risks. Everyone needs to take good care of their teeth and gums to avoid common oral health problems. However, preventative dental care can be especially important if you have diabetes, as you have a higher risk of developing problems such as gum disease, tooth decay and other oral infections. Keep reading to find outmore about how diabetes can impact your oral health. Which oral health problems commonly affect people with diabetes? Most Australians experience tooth decay or other preventable dental health problems at some point in their lives. However, the estimated 1.7 million people in Australia who have diabetes are particularly at risk, as blood glucose levels that arent managed well can lower the body's resistance to infection and affects its ability to heal. If you have diabetes, youre often at a higher risk of conditions such as: Periodontal (gum) disease is caused by the same bacteria responsible for tooth decay. This bacteria produces plaque which, when hardened to form calculus or tartar, causes the gums to swell, redden and bleed. If gum disease is left untreated, it can start to destroy the bone around your teeth that holds them in place. This might even lead to tooth loss. Although you have a higher risk of gum disease if you have diabetes, you can manage this risk by managing your blood glucose levels and keeping them within the optimal range youve agreed upon with your doctor or diabetes educator. If you notice any sympt Continue reading >>
Delta Dental | How Gum Disease Affects Your Health
Treatment Methods for Gingivitis and Periodontitis You might think brushing gently twice a day, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist regularly make sense for good oral health. But the health of your mouth could affect the health of your whole body. More and more evidence shows a strong association between gum disease and heart disease, stroke, diabetes, poor pregnancy outcomes, and other conditions. Some early research has even found a higher risk for certain cancers. What could the connection be? In some cases, such as heart disease, one theory blames bacteria in the mouth. When these bacteria enter the blood stream, the theory goes, they settle on existing coronary artery plaques and help form clots in the arteries that feed your heart. Another possibility: The chemical signals given off from the chronic inflammation caused by gum disease bacteria could directly increase atherosclerotic plaque buildup. This could also play a part in such inflammatory conditions as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, and some forms of cancer. People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease as people without gum disease. The two diseases share many of the same risk factors. These include smoking, excess weight, and uncontrolled blood sugar levels among people with diabetes. In fact, the correlation is so strong that the Journal of Periodontology, which covers gum disease, and the American Journal of Cardiology, focused on heart disease, teamed up to release a consensus statement addressing the issue in 2009. The connection between diabetes and gum disease may be even stronger. Diabetes is a risk factor for worsening gum disease, and gum disease is a risk factor for worsening blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. A recent s Continue reading >>
Prevent Diabetes Problems, Keep Your Teeth And Gums Healthy
What are diabetes problems?Too much glucose in the blood for a long time causes diabetes problems. This high blood glucose can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. Diabetes problems can be scary, but there is a lot you can do to prevent them or slow them down. Use this page to learn about tooth and gum problems caused by diabetes. You will learn the things you can do each day and during each year to stay healthy and prevent diabetes problems. Back to Back to Top What should I do each day to stay healthy with diabetes? Follow the healthy eating plan that you and your doctor or dietitian have worked out. Eat your meals and snacks at around the same times each day. Check your blood glucose every day. Each time you check your blood glucose, write the number in your record book. Call your doctor if your numbers are too high or too low for 2 to 3 days. Back to Top How can diabetes hurt my teeth and gums? Tooth and gum problems can happen to anyone. A sticky film full of germs (also called plaque [PLAK]) builds up on your teeth. High blood glucose helps germs (bacteria) grow. Then you can get red, sore and swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. People with diabetes can have tooth and gum problems more often if their blood glucose stays high. High blood glucose can make tooth and gum problems worse. You can even lose your teeth. Smoking makes it more likely for you to get a bad case of gum disease, especially if you have diabetes and are age 45 or older. Red, sore and bleeding gums are the first sign of gum disease. This can lead to periodontitis (PER-ee-oh-don-TY-tis). Periodontitis is an infection in the gums and the bone that holds the teeth in place. If the infection gets worse, your gums may pull away from your teeth, mak Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Dental Health. Things You Should Know
The list goes on and on. But what about your oral health? Are there any serious dental concerns related to diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that affects the bodys ability to produce and/or use insulin properly, which regulates ones glucose levels. It is broken into two categories. This kind is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, typically before the age of 20. People who have this type of diabetes are usually thin, and is caused when the pancreas the organ that secretes autoantibodies. People with type 1 diabetes always need to supply their bodies with insulin on their own, either by injection or through an insulin pump. Sometimes called adult onset diabetes, type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in overweight patients after the age 35. This type of diabetes is much more common, but has a much different cause. Type 2 diabetes is a complicated medical condition called insulin resistance. There are medications for this, but the biggest help is a change in ones lifestyle, such as a better diet and more exercising to help with weight loss. So how can your bodys ability to produce and properly use insulin affect your oral health? If you have diabetes, your risk for gum problems is much higher because diabetes affects your blood glucose levels, found everywhere in your body, including your mouth by way of saliva. Right now there is more bacteria in your mouth then people on this Earth. If those germs settle in your mouth for an extended period of time, they will cause gum disease. If the blood glucose levels in your saliva is too high it also creates problems. Glucose is a form of sugar, and too much sugar in your mouth helps promote decay. Another side effect is that it can cause some people to suffer from dry mouth ( xerostomia). Dry mouth can further lead to sor Continue reading >>
Can Diabetes Affect The Mouth?
One in 20 people are being treated for diabetes according to Diabetes UK which also estimates 850,000 of us have the condition and dont know it. The most common type, affecting 85%-95% of those with diabetes, is type 2 diabetes where cases have increased significantly in the UK. Experts attribute this rise to diet and obesity. Diabetes affects the bodys ability to use blood sugar for energy. The main types include type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease which affects your bodys 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. What Dental Problems Are People With Diabetes at Higher Risk For? Dry mouth. Uncontrolled diabetes can decrease saliva flow, resulting in dry mouth. Dry mouth can further lead to a higher risk of tooth decay, soreness, ulcers and infection. Gum disease(gingivitisand periodontitis). Besides impairing white blood cells, another complication of diabetes is that it causes blood vessels to thicken, which slows the flow of nutrients to and waste products from body tissues, including the mouth. When this combination of events happens, the bodys ability to fight infections is reduced. Since periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, diabetics with uncontrolled disease may experience more frequent and more severe gum disease. Burning mouth and/or tongue. This condition is caused by the presence of thrush. Poor healing of oral tissues. People with uncontrolled diabetes do not heal quickly after oral surgery or other dental procedures because blood flow to the treatment site can be impaired. Thrush people with diabetes who frequentl Continue reading >>
7 Signs Of Disease Your Teeth Can Reveal
You may have type 2 diabetes istock/FangXiaNuo Red, swollen gums that may bleed are the hallmarks of periodontal disease—an incredibly common condition that affects more than 47 percent of Americans 30 and older and more than 70 percent of adults 65 and older, according to the CDC. Periodontal disease is brought on by bacteria in the mouth that infect the tissues and create plaque. "Diabetes makes periodontal disease worse," says Paulo Camargo, DDS, professor of periodontics and associate dean for clinical dental sciences at UCLA School of Dentistry. "Periodontal disease can also make the blood sugar more difficult to control." Research shows that diabetes is a major risk factor for periodontitis, a more serious form of periodontal disease that can damage soft tissues and destroy the bone that supports teeth. In fact, people with diabetes are three times more susceptible to developing periodontitis than those who aren't diabetic. "If gums bleed a lot and are swollen or the patient is having frequent abscesses or infections, the dentist might start to question if you have a family history of diabetes," says Sally Cram, DDS, a periodontist in Washington, DC, and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Diabetes isn't the only health problem associated with periodontal disease: The disease, which triggers a harmful, inflammatory response, is also linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. These are other type 2 diabetes symptoms you shouldn’t ignore. istock/stevanovicigor Eating garlic knots and forgetting to brush your tongue aren't the only causes of bad breath. In some cases, especially if you already have a solid brushing and flossing regimen in place, a lingering case of halitosis can signal a health problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux dis Continue reading >>
How Does Diabetes Affect Your Oral Health?
How Does Diabetes Affect Your Oral Health? People who have diabetes know the disease can harm the eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart, and other important systems in the body. Did you know diabetes could also cause problems in your mouth? People with diabetes are at heightened risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gums and bone that hold your teeth in place, and may lead to painful chewing problems or even loss of teeth. Gum disease can be more severe and more difficult to control if you have diabetes. In turn, having gum disease can make your blood glucose hard to control. Dry mouth, often a symptom of undetected diabetes, can cause mouth sores, ulcers, infections, and tooth decay. Diabetes may cause the glucose level in your saliva to increase, which encourages the growth of harmful bacteria. These bacteria combine with food to form a soft, sticky film called plaque. Eating foods that contain sugars or starches encourages growth of plaque. Some types of plaque cause tooth decay, while other types of plaque cause gum disease and bad breath. High glucose levels combined with lack of saliva may also lead to thrush, a fungal infection that causes painful white patches in your mouth. While diabetes can cause serious problems in your mouth, there is a lot you can do to keep your mouth healthy. Good blood glucose control is key to controlling and preventing mouth problems. People with poor blood glucose control get gum disease more often and more severely than people whose diabetes is well controlled. Follow good oral hygiene practices, which include brushing and flossing at least twice a day Visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning and check-up. This will help to catch any gum disease or tooth decay in the ea Continue reading >>
Diabetes
Research has come forth that suggests that the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetesgoes both ways. Gum problems can make it more difficult for diabetics to control their blood sugar. Those who have diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than those who do not which makes it vital for diabetics to maintain their blood sugar and seek treatment. Diabetes Increases Chances of Periodontal Disease Diabetics, as a result of their increased susceptibility to infection, are at greater risk of developing periodontal disease than those without diabetes. Those who do not have their diabetes under control are at an even greater risk. Uncontrolled diabetes impairs white blood cells, which are the body’s main defense against bacterial infection that can occur in the mouth. Allowing diabetes to be left uncontrolled greatly increases a diabetic’s risk of moderate to severe gum disease. Those who have diabetes will often experience dry mouth, gum inflammation, and poor healing in the oral tissues. All of these complications of diabetes can put a patient at greater risk for periodontal disease, but the inflammation of the gums is by far the most threatening. Besides impairing white blood cells, diabetes also causes blood vessels to thicken. Thickened blood vessels slow the flow of nutrients and waste products from the tissues of the mouth. This inflammation greatly reduces the body’s ability to fight infections, such as the bacterial infection that causes periodontitis or gum disease. Additionally, the damage that periodontal disease can do is far greater in a diabetic patient than one without diabetes because healing in diabetics may be impaired, allowing the periodontal disease to cause far more destruction at a faster rate. Diabetes and Periodontal D Continue reading >>
- American Diabetes Association® Releases 2018 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, with Notable New Recommendations for People with Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
- Diabetes doctors: Which specialists treat diabetes?
