﻿Why Dental Problems Make It Hard to Control Blood Glucose | Everyday Health

Why Dental Problems Make It Hard to Control Blood Glucose

Your type 2 diabetes puts you at greater risk for gum (periodontal) disease, which can make it more difficult to control your blood-glucose levels.
Diabetes and oral health are closely related, so it's important to practice good mouth hygiene.Corbis

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The nearly 30 million people living with type 2 diabetes may be surprised to learn about another unintended difficulty: dental problems, namely gum disease. People with diabetes are at an increased risk for serious gum disease, or what's known as periodontitis, because they are generally more susceptible to bacterial infection, and have a decreased ability to fight bacteria that invade the gums.

On the flip side, serious gum disease may have the potential to affect blood-glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes. Too much glucose or sugar in your blood from the diabetes can cause pain, infection, and other problems in your teeth and gums because it helps allow harmful bacteria to grow in your saliva. These bacteria combine with food to form plaque, a soft, sticky film that causes tooth decay or cavities.

If you have uncontrolled blood sugar, you're more likely to develop gum disease than someone who doesn't have diabetes. Other dental complications related to uncontrolled diabetes include thrush, an oral fungus, and dry mouth, which can cause sores and ulcers. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, the better you control your blood glucose, the lower your risk is for periodontitis.

5 Simple Ways to Prevent Diabetes-Related Gum Disease

To help prevent dental problems:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice daily.
  • Floss once a day, pressing the floss against your teeth and not your gums.
  • Check for areas where your gums are red or painful.

If you are having dental work, be sure to remind the hygienist and dentist that you have diabetes. Many dental treatments can affect your blood sugar. Your dentist may decide to delay some procedures — including dental surgery — if your blood-glucose levels are higher than your target range because high levels increase your risk of getting a serious infection after surgery.