Diabetes causes heightened levels of blood sugar if it’s left unmanaged for any amount of time. This heightened blood sugar is the cause of most of the nastiest symptoms of the condition and as such should be taken very seriously. It can cause damage to the eyes and eventual blindness, loss of feeling in the extremities leading to amputations and long term kidney damage. One thing you might not think of diabetes damaging is your oral health but I’m here to tell you that heightened levels of blood sugar can cause oral damage too!
Thrush – A yeast infection of your mouth which has many causes. It’s incredibly common in sufferers of diabetes and is more than likely to occur at least once. Yeast simply grows better in conditions high in sugar which diabetics generally are. It can be avoided with strict dental hygiene and proper control of your diabetes
Gingivitis and Periodontitis – Gingivitis is the start of gum disease and occurs when plaque and tarter begin to form on your teeth and push your gums down. This can lead to your gums bleeding and considerable discomfort. If you leave gingivitis untreated it can lead to periodontitis which is advanced gum disease and destroys the bones and tissues which help hold your teeth up. Catching the condition early will prevent it from developing to this extent but the consequences of not doing so are terrifying!
Frequent trips to the dentist can help you maintain your oral health despite your diabetes. They’ll be able to give you specific advice on things you can do to lessen your risks and help keep your mouth nice and healthy. Remember than regular brushing, flossing and the use of mouth wash will also maintain a healthy mouth and prevent these conditions from occurring in the first place!