The Link Between Diabetes & Your Teeth

Diabetes is a devastating disease that affects your body’s ability to break down sugar. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 29 million Americans suffer from diabetes, and even more suffer from a condition called prediabetes. Regardless of whether you have Type I diabetes, where your body does not produce enough insulin, or Type II diabetes, where your body cannot process insulin, diabetes can affect your oral, and overall health, greatly.

Here’s how diabetes affects your teeth.

Symptoms of Diabetes

The main symptoms of diabetes are:

Thirst and frequent urination
Weight loss
High blood sugar
Fatigue
Dry mouth
Cavities and tooth decay
Impacted taste buds
Bleeding gums

Additionally, children with diabetes might experience teeth that erupt prematurely.

How Diabetes Impacts Teeth

Diabetes is strongly linked to gum disease. When bacteria and plaque starts to build under your gum line due to lack of consistent oral hygiene, poor diet, or preexisting conditions, you are at risk of developing gum disease. Bleeding gums, swollen gums, bad breath, and dry mouth are all symptoms of gum disease. If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop dry mouth, which increases the likelihood of you developing gum disease.

Maintaining Your Oral Health When You Have Diabetes

If you have diabetes or gum disease due to diabetes, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible. At Chesterfield Dentistry, we offer deep cleaning treatments to flush bacteria and plaque out from below the gumline to keep your teeth healthy. Gum disease treatment can even help stabilize your blood sugar levels and help diabetes patients take better control of their overall health.

Comprehensive Dental Care in Chesterfield, MO

If you have diabetes, are at risk of developing diabetes, or have gum disease, don’t wait to receive treatments that can improve your overall health and wellbeing. Dr. Akinwande and the staff at Chesterfield Dentistry will develop a treatment plan specifically for your needs so you can maintain a healthy and beautiful smile for years to come. Call us at 314-786-3360 or schedule an appointment with us online. We look forward to seeing you at our office!