DIABETES is a serious health condition that can impact other areas of your wellbeing.
It’s a lifelong illness that causes your blood sugar to be too high and if not treated properly, can lead to debilitating symptoms such as poor eye sight and gum disease.
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It’s because of this that one expert has highlighted the key dangers diabetics face when it comes to oral health.
Speaking to Central Recorder, London-based dentist Dr Monik Vasant explained that poorly controlled diabetics may have high blood sugar levels for a long period of time.
He said: “Too much sugar in your blood can lead to more sugar in your saliva.
“This provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which produces acid and toxins that attacks your tooth enamel and damages your gums.”
Dr Monik, who is currently working with Colgate Total on the #HappyHabits campaign, said it’s important to note that when oral bacteria is not controlled effectively and inflammation associated with severe gum problems exists, this can also increase a person’s risk of certain deadly diseases.
He explained that cardiovascular disease is one one them.
“There is some evidence to suggest that blocked arteries, heart disease and stroke may be linked to the inflammation caused by oral bacteria”, he said.
When you have diabetes you are more at risk of cardiovascular disease than others who don’t have the condition.
It affects your circulation and can lead to other issues with your feet and eyesight, as well as heart attacks and strokes.
Dr Monik explained that endocarditis is another issues that could be linked.
He said: “Bacteria from your mouth travels through the bloodstream and attaches to the lining of your heart chamber and/ or valves creating pockets of bacteria.
“This can disrupt the blood flow through the heart.“
Getting the right treatment early can prevent severe infections, tooth loss and other complications down the road
Dr Monik Vasant
He added that pneumonia and other respiratory diseases are also caused when bacteria travels from the mouth to the lungs.
Dr Monik said it’s imperative that diabetics take good care of their oral health.
He explained that people with type 2 diabetes are around three times more likely to develop oral problems than people without, and those with type 1 diabetes are also more at risk.
He said: “You’re more likely to develop things like gum disease which may result in bad breath, bleeding gums, gum recession, and eventually tooth loss. In addition, diabetics are at a higher risk of getting oral thrush which is a fungal infection of the mouth.
“Looking after your mouth health starts at home and doesn’t need to be costly or complicated.
“Simple things like remembering to brush twice a day for two minutes with an antibacterial toothpaste, cleaning in between the teeth, and changing your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three months will help to prevent common oral problems developing in the first place.”
KNOW THE SIGNS
Dr Monik said the key thing diabetics need to look out for, is bleeding gums.
He said: “The early signs of gum problems are things like red, sore or bleeding gums, bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth.
“The signs of oral thrush include white patches within the mouth, redness of the tongue and cracking of the skin at the corner of the lips.
“If you notice these, don’t ignore them and make an appointment with your dentist.
“Getting the right treatment early can prevent severe infections, tooth loss and other complications down the road.”
The 4 other health conditions associated with poor health
There is a whole host of health conditions which puts a person at greater risk of developing oral health complications
- HIV/AIDS: where oral problems are more common such as painful mucosal lesions
- Osteoporosis: a bone-weakening disease linked with periodontal bone loss which can lead to tooth loss
- Alzheimer’s disease is often linked with worsening oral health as the gums show signs of ageing and a person may forget to brush/ how to brush. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may also not be able to tell a person when they experience pain/ discomfort in their mouth
- Certain cancers/ radiation therapy have been associated with mild to severe side effects including infection, mouth sores, and reduced saliva flow
Brushing and flossing properly is important for everyone, but especially so for diabetics as they’re more at risk of developing oral health issues, Dr Monik said.
“If we don’t follow simple oral care practices like brushing twice a day for two minutes with an antibacterial toothpaste, cleaning in between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes, and changing our toothbrush or toothbrush head every three months, we could end up with tooth decay and gum disease, which could in turn lead to painful cavities, abscesses or even tooth loss”, he added.
Dr Monik said that we are all capable of managing our oral health at home by implementing simple regimes like brushing twice a day with an antibacterial toothpaste.
He said that this goes a long way in reducing the oral bacteria which may predispose common oral health issues.
“However, we must still acknowledge that poor oral hygiene can manifest in a number of different ways and knowing the signs of when to get checked out is important!
“If you are worried about your oral health and experience such symptoms like tooth pain, bleeding or swollen gums, non-healing ulcers, growths within the mouth, changes in the tongue’s texture or colour I would encourage you to make an appointment to see your dentist”, he added.