We diabetics have to pay even more attention to our teeth and
gums than other people.
We are at greater risk of cavities, gum disease and tooth
infections. Not only that, but those infections can cause our
blood sugar to rise, so it becomes a vicious cycle.
Here are some mouth problems common in diabetics.
Plaque
Plaque is, of course, a problem for many people, not just
diabetics. But it's caused by starches and sugars, and of course
we have more than our share of those! So diabetics are highly
prone to plaque.
Dry mouth
Sometimes my mouth is so dry in the morning I can hardly
speak--I'm sure you know how that feels. But it's more than just
inconvenient, it's dangerous to the health of our mouths. You
see, saliva washes away many of the bacteria that cause cavities
and gum disease. Dry mouth cuts the amount of saliva available
for this job, so the result is more cavities and gum disease.
Dry mouth sometimes also creates inflammation of the soft tissue
in the mouth, making eating difficult and unpleasant.
While there are artificial saliva substitutes, which your
dentist can tell you about, you can usually stimulate your own
saliva by sucking on a sugar-free hard candy. I like
no-sugar-added Ricola for this purpose. And of course, drinking
water helps.
Fungal infections
Not only do we diabetics have less saliva than we need, but the
saliva we do have is high in sugar content, so it's double
trouble for us. This can cause a fungal infection called
candiasis, commonly known as thrush. It produces sore red or
white spots in the mouth. Medication can help though, so ask
your dentist.
As a diabetic, you must pay great attention to oral hygiene.
Brush your teeth twice a day, and floss daily. Examine your gums
for signs of problems--and always visit your dentist at least
twice a year.
About the author:
Bob Fleming suffers from Type 2 diabetes, but he does everything
he can to suffer as little as possible! Visit his website at
http://www.thediabetesinfoplace.com for informative articles and
resources, and sign up to receive
Bob's free weekly
diabetic-friendly dessert recipe!