| What information
do I need to give my dentist about my
diabetes?
It’s important to keep your medical
records up-to-date. Let your dentist
know:
- if you have been diagnosed
with diabetes;
- if the disease
is under control;
- if there
has been any other change
in your medical history,
and;
- the names of all
prescription and over-the-counter
drugs you are
taking.
What oral health problems can be associated with diabetes? The
most common oral health problems
associated with diabetes are:
- tooth decay;
- periodontal
(gum) disease;
- salivary
gland dysfunction;
- fungal
infections;
- lichen
planus and lichenoid
reactions (inflammatory skin
disease);
- infection
and delayed healing;
- taste
impairment.
What should I know about diet and tooth
decay?
Your teeth are covered with plaque, a
sticky film of bacteria. After you have
a meal, snack or beverage that contains
sugars or starches, the bacteria release
acids derived from dietary sugars that
attack tooth enamel. Repeated attacks
can cause the enamel to break down and
may eventually result in cavities.
When diabetes is not controlled properly,
high glucose levels in saliva may help
bacteria thrive. Brushing twice a day
with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning
once a day between your teeth with floss
or an interdental cleaner helps remove
decay-causing plaque.
Plaque that is not removed can eventually
harden (calcify) into calculus, or tartar.
When tartar collects above the gumline,
it becomes more difficult to thoroughly
brush and clean between teeth. This can
create conditions that lead to chronic
inflammation and infection in the mouth.
Is there a connection between diabetes
and periodontal (gum) disease? Because diabetes reduces the body’s
resistance to infection, the gums are
among the tissues likely to be affected.
Periodontal diseases are infections of
the gum and bone that hold your teeth
in place.
Periodontal disease is often linked to
the control of diabetes. For example,
patients with inadequate blood sugar
control appear to develop periodontal
disease more often and more severely,
and they lose more teeth than persons
who have good control of their diabetes.
It is possible to have periodontal disease
and not have all of the warning signs.
If you notice any of the warning signs
of gum disease, see your dentist immediately.
Because of lowered resistance and a longer
healing process, periodontal diseases
often appear to be more frequent and
more severe among persons with diabetes.
That’s why good maintenance of
blood sugar levels, a well-balanced diet
that meets your needs, good oral care
at home, regular dental checkups and
periodontal examinations are important.
What else can I do to help prevent oral
health problems? Preventive oral health care, including
professional cleanings at the dental
office, is important if you are to control
the progression of periodontal disease
and other oral health problems. Regular
dental checkups and periodontal screenings
are important for evaluating overall
dental health and for treating dental
problems in their initial
stages. Your dentist may recommend more
frequent evaluations and preventive procedures,
such as teeth cleaning, to maintain good
oral health.
What
should I do if my mouth frequently feels
dry?
Saliva helps wash away food particles
and keeps the mouth moist. Without
adequate saliva, bacteria continue to
colonize.
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common
complaint among diabetic dental patients
and patients undergoing radiation
of the head and neck for cancer therapy.
Constant dryness irritates the soft
tissues
in the mouth, often making them inflamed
and painful. This condition greatly
increases the risk of tooth decay and
periodontal
diseases. Your dentist may recommend a saliva substitute
that can be used for relief from dry
mouth discomfort. Your dentist may also
recommend rinsing with a fluoride mouthrinse
or having a topical application of fluoride
at home and in the dental office to help
prevent rampant tooth decay. These products
are sold over-the-counter at pharmacies.
Using sugarless gum, sugarless mints,
taking frequent sips of water or using
melting ice chips may help alleviate
a dry mouth. Restricting intake of caffeine
and alcohol also can help.
What other some other oral conditions
that can be associated with diabetes?
Oral candidiasis, a fungal infection in
the mouth, appears to occur more frequently
among persons with diabetes including
those who wear dentures. Your dentist
may prescribe antifungal medications
to treat this condition. Good oral hygiene
is critical.
Lichen planus is a skin disorder that
produces lesions in the mouth. A more
severe type of Lichen planus involves
painful ulcers that erode surface tissue.
Although there is no permanent cure,
your dentist may prescribe a topical
anesthetic or other medication to reduce
and relieve the condition.
Some diabetics have reported that their
taste for sweets is diminished, although
the taste impairment is usually not severe.
Altered taste sensations, barely perceptible
to most diabetic patients, may influence
their food choices in favor of sweet
tasting foods with highly refined carbohydrate
content. This may worsen the diabetic
patient’s dental health and overall
health.
What if I need oral surgery? Infection is a risk for the diabetic patient
and can make it more difficult to control
blood glucose levels. If you are having
extensive oral surgery, your dentist
may prescribe antibiotics to minimize
the risk of infection. To help the healing
process, keep your blood glucose levels
under control before, during and after
surgery.
Please note: The ADA does not provide specific answers
to individual questions about fees, dental problems, conditions, diagnoses,
treatments or proposed treatments, or requests for research. Information about
dental referrals, complaints and a variety of dental procedures may
be found here. You can also refer to our Frequently
Asked Questions page for answers to common questions.
|
