3 Oral Health Problems Associated With Type 2 Diabetes

Dentist Blog

Your white blood cells normally offer some protection against the harmful bacteria in your mouth, but type 2 diabetes impairs your white blood cells, leaving you susceptible to an overgrowth of bacteria and certain oral health problems. It's vital that those with type 2 diabetes have regular dental checkups to enable problems to be detected early, but you can also look out for common signs of trouble at home when you're brushing your teeth. Here's an overview of three oral health problems and the associated symptoms diabetics are susceptible to:

Gum Disease

Typical signs of gum disease include localised swelling, bleeding gums, bad breath and a receding gum line. An overgrowth of bacteria can lead to gum disease by causing inflammation of the soft tissue around your teeth and increasing the amount of plaque that forms and erodes your tooth enamel. Plaque forms when bacteria bind with food particles and can irritate your gums and cause cavities. The presence of cavities poses an additional risk for diabetics, as thickened blood vessels, a common complication of type 2 diabetes, can reduce blood flow to the mouth. This can lead to gum disease developing when bacteria colonise cavities, as your body can't heal and neutralise the effects of this bacteria when blood flow is restricted.

Abscesses

The alkaline nature of saliva provides some protection against the overgrowth of bacteria, as bacteria require an acidic environment to thrive. Some medications used to treat type 2 diabetes can leave you with a dry mouth, and this can cause abscesses as bacteria produce acid as a waste product. When this acid wears down your tooth enamel, bacteria can reach the roots of your teeth and cause painful abscesses to form. Symptoms of a dental abscess include loosening of the affected tooth, localised swelling and fever.

Oral Thrush

When your white blood cells are impaired, your immune system can struggle to keep the fungus that's responsible for oral thrush at bay. Your risk of developing oral thrush is even greater if your sugar levels often spike, as the fungus can feed on the sugar present in your saliva. If you experience pain when swallowing or have white patches on your gums or tongue, you may have oral thrush. White patches can be caused by other oral health conditions, so always have thrush diagnosed by your dentist.

Your dentist can work with you to develop an oral hygiene plan that will minimise the risk of developing these oral health problems. They can recommend products to combat bacteria and assess your brushing and flossing technique, so schedule a consultation for personalised advice.

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23 March 2016

Dental Emergencies and Kids

As a mother, I've seen my kids' faces light up after they've lost a tooth – oh, the excitement they feel about getting their grown up teeth! However, I've also seen my kids become extremely scared and anxious after having an adult tooth knocked out. If you're a mom or a dad with a busy kid, chances are you might see a tooth knocked out in a skateboarding accident or a sport pile-up. This blog is dedicated to those moments when you could lose your wits, and it's here to ensure you don't. I am collecting and curating the best information about kids and dental emergencies here so that you will have it when you need it. Best of luck with your kids' smiles!