Oral Health Concerns for People With Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association predicted recently that as many as 1 in 3 American adults will be diagnosed with diabetes by 2050 if present health trend in diabetes will continue. Here at our Hudson Valley dental practice, most of our first-time patients wonder why we have to ask them about their present health, one of which is whether or not they have diabetes.

So what’s the connection between a chronic disease resulting to abnormally levels of blood glucose and your overall oral health? By and large, the resulting oral symptoms due to diabetes has to do with low immunity, making the diabetic individual more prone to infection and delayed healing at the same time. 

Gum Disease – The low immune function coupled with an increased inflammatory response brought about by high sugar levels in the blood often results to gum disease. It has been shown that having your blood sugar in control significantly reduces the occurrence of diabetes.

Salivary Dysfunction – There have been reported cases of dry mouth among patients with diabetes. Furthermore, it should be noted that medications may also cause such salivary problems as one of its adverse effects.

Oral infection – Due to a compromised immune system, viral, fungal, and bacterial infections may be more prevalent. Mouth sores and swallowing problems may be one of the symptoms.

Would you like to learn more about keeping your mouth healthy when you have diabetes or abnormally high blood sugar levels?

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Hudson Valley, make an appointment.