It is important to people living with type 2 diabetes pay attention to all aspects of your health and wellness.
This is one aspect of taking care of yourself to live powerfully with type 2 diabetes. It’s taking care of yourself. oral health.
Recent studies have shown an increased risk between poor oral health and heart disease.
Your risk of heart disease increases even more when you have poor oral health and type 2 diabetes.
This is because diabetes already puts you in twice the risk of heart disease than the general population. So when you add poor oral health to the mix, your risk more than doubles.
The mouth has thousands of different bacteria, fungi and viruses. Normally, with proper oral hygiene and well-functioning salivary glands, these do not cause any problems.
However, when the mouth becomes unhealthy due to poor oral health, a number of dental problems can arise.
The most common tooth and gum problems associated with type 2 diabetes are:
- tooth decay
- gum disease
- altered taste
- fungal infections commonly called oral thrush
- dry mouth
- infections
Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to tooth decay and gum disease
When blood sugar levels are not well controlled, this leads to hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia can cause bacteria and fungi to thrive in saliva. This leads to the development of license plate.
Plaque is a hard material that builds up in the mouth. Adheres to the surface and between the teeth. It can also collect below the gum line. When this happens, the gums become inflamed. This is called periodontal disease.
People who do not have well-controlled diabetes are at risk for periodontal disease. Eventually, the gum disease becomes so severe that they lose their teeth.
These are some signs of periodontal disease. If you have any of these signs, see a dentist as soon as possible.
- gums that bleed easily
- swollen and painful red gums
- bad breath
- Bad taste
- pus between the teeth or when the gums are pressed
- gums that have separated from the teeth
Diabetes can also cause fungal infections
The mouth naturally has thousands of species of bacteria, viruses and fungi. The good news is that the body’s natural defense system keeps them all in check so they don’t cause any problems.
Oral thrush is a fungal infection that can occur in people with type 2 diabetes.
There are several reasons why you can get fungal infections:
- wearing teeth
- Smoking cigarettes
- hyperglycemia
- antibiotics
- dry mouth
How to reduce dental problems
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush. You can also use an electric toothbrush.
- Floss between your teeth at least once a day
- Change your toothbrush at least every 3 months.
- Disinfect your toothbrush regularly. You can place it in a microwave or dishwasher.
- Use an antimicrobial mouthwash
- Use a toothpaste that has fluoride
- Watch for any signs of dental problems and report them to your dentist.
- leave the tuxedo
- Drink water regularly to keep your mouth moist.
- A dash of 100% peppermint essential oil in water is a great natural breath freshener.
Visit your dentist regularly
- Schedule an appointment twice a year to see your dentist.
- If you have any sores or pain in your mouth, be sure to let your dentist know.
- Let your dentist know if your blood sugar levels are out of control.
- Also let your dentist know if there are any changes in your medical history.
- Do not take any oral medication that can lower your blood sugar level before seeing the dentist.
- If you are having dental work done and are taking a blood thinner, be sure to let your dentist know. The dentist will likely want to obtain medical clearance from your primary health care provider.
So take the time to make sure you pay attention to the health of your mouth. That way you won’t go through the pain of missing teeth.
Let’s face it, dental care to replace missing teeth can be very expensive. So why not invest in prevention rather than cure?
Take an active role in improving your oral health and diabetes.