The Link Between Oral Health Issues and Diabetes1

The link between periodontal disease and diabetes might surprise you, with each condition affecting the other. But keeping your teeth and gums healthy is possible. Understanding this relationship and the potential issues can help you take proactive steps to protect your oral health.

 

Table of Contents

Common Dental Problems in Diabetes Arrow icon
Treatment Options for Dental
Problems in Diabetes Arrow icon
Oral Hygiene and Diabetes: Tips
for Maintaining Good Oral Health
Issues Arrow icon
Preparing for Your Next Dental Appointment Arrow icon

Saliva helps protect your teeth and gums, but diabetes and diabetes medications can decrease saliva production or increase glucose levels in your mouth. These changes can lead to a higher risk of cavities, plaque buildup, and other oral health issues. As unmanaged disease worsens, gums can become inflamed and tooth loss may occur.

Common Dental Problems in Diabetes

Gingivitis or inflamed gums: Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, occurs when plaque and tartar build up on your teeth near your gums, causing irritation and inflammation. Gums may become red, swollen, and may bleed easily1.

Periodontitis: Periodontitis is an advanced stage of gum disease. Gums may separate from teeth, forming pockets that are prone to infection. If periodontitis is not treated, teeth can become loose and may need to be removed2.

Other dental problems in diabetes: In addition to gum disease, diabetes also increases your risk for1:

  • Dry mouth
  • Burning sensation in your mouth
  • Oral candidiasis (a fungal infection)
  • Poor healing of mouth wounds
  • Halitosis (bad breath)
 

Treatment Options for Dental Problems in Diabetes  

Ensuring blood sugar levels are well-controlled is the foundation of preventing oral health issues in diabetes1. Some dental problems in diabetes such as dry mouth can be resolved through good dental hygiene.

Other issues may require the use of antifungal treatments or antibiotics3. Should surgery become necessary to treat severe gum disease or remove decayed teeth, extra precautions may need to be taken to help prevent postoperative infection1.

 

Oral Hygiene and Diabetes: Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Health

If you are living with diabetes, regular visits to your dentist are essential for maintaining oral health. To help prevent dental problems rather than treating them should they arise, keep blood sugar levels at or near your target, practice good oral hygiene, and make lifestyle choices that support good oral health4.

Oral Hygiene:

  • Brush at least twice a day (min. 2 minutes) with fluoride toothpaste, ideally after meals
  • Floss daily
  • Clean dentures daily if you wear them

Lifestyle Choices:

  • Follow a healthy diet and limit added sugars, especially from soda
  • Quit or avoid smoking

Preparing for Your Next Dental Appointment

Ensure that you have eaten and taken your medication before your next dental appointment to help decrease your risk for hypoglycemia. Blood glucose levels should also be checked. The CONTOUR®NEXT GEN meter ensures that blood glucose levels are managed before and after dental treatments to promote healing and prevent complications5.

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References:

  1. Sanz M, Ceriello A, Buysschaert M, et al. Scientific evidence on the links between periodontal diseases and diabetes: Consensus report and guidelines of the joint workshop on periodontal diseases and diabetes by the International diabetes Federation and the European Federation of Periodontology. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2018;137:231-241. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2017.12.001.
  2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Gum disease and dental problems. Updated February 2023. Accessed December 19, 2024. Available from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/gum-disease-dental-problems.
  3. Mauri-Obradors E, Estrugo-Devesa A, Jané-Salas E, Viñas M, López-López J. Oral manifestations of Diabetes Mellitus. A systematic review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2017;22(5):e586-e594.
  4. Diabetes Canada. Diabetes and your teeth. Available from https://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes-(3)/impact-stories/diabetes-and-your-teeth. Accessed December 20, 2024.
  5. Miller A, Ouanounou A. Diagnosis, management, and dental considerations for the diabetic patient. J Can Dent Assoc. 2020;86:k8.