Diabetes

By: J. Shahangian, DDS, MS- San Diego Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Diabetes
People who live with diabetes are susceptible to a multitude of systemic problems throughout their body.  Like the rest of the body, for people with diabetes, the mouth and teeth are vulnerable to problems and complications.  Sometimes these problems go undiagnosed.

Some common afflictions for people with diabetes are periodontal disease, receding gums, and even gum disease.  There are reasons why many diabetics suffer from these diseases such as less saliva production, which hampers proper mouth cleansing, especially cleansing of cavities.  Because less saliva is produced, bacteria and debris are more likely to lodge into crevices and in-between teeth, causing cavities and other problems.  Also, uncontrolled sugar levels caused by diabetes can help the development of gum disease and cavities.

There are many things you can do, however, to help prevent these problems.  By having good oral hygiene, including daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing in tandem with a balanced diabetic diet, you can prevent needless problems.[1]