The human body is amazing. It is composed of so many organs and systems, all working together to create life, motion, speech. etc. Some people think that the mouth is an isolated environment and that nothing that happens inside the mouth would affect the rest of the body, and vice versa. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The mouth is the doorway to the rest of the body. For that reason, everything that happens in the body could affect the mouth in turn. Some studies have linked some oral diseases to conditions like heart failure, eye problems, premature birth and so much more. The most common condition to affect the oral cavity is diabetes. So how does diabetes affect oral health?
You may not be surprised to learn that it’s a two-way street.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a problem with the way your body processes sugars. Normally when we eat any sugar, the body releases a hormone known as Insulin to help digest the sugar. A person with diabetes either has a problem with the release or amount of insulin released (known as type I Diabetes) or a problem with the receptors of that hormone (known as type II diabetes).
How Does Diabetes Affect Oral Health?
Diabetes (especially if not properly controlled with medication and a proper diet) could have detrimental effects on the structures inside the mouth. The most common problems include:
1. Poor Wound Healing
Diabetes affects the body’s ability to heal. That’s why, if you’re injured or have a tooth extracted, you’d expect the wound to remain open longer than usual.
2. Repeated Infection
Due to poor healing ability and poor immunity, a person with diabetes is much more likely to suffer infection inside the oral cavity.
3. Periodontal Problems
Diabetes is a condition that directly affects the bone, the jaw bones being no exception. The periodontal system is quickly affected. Therefore, the teeth could start to become loose inside your mouth.
How to Deal with the Oral Effects of Diabetes
The first and most important step is to control the condition itself. A healthy diet and care of medication and constant exercise are key to keeping the condition at bay.
As for the oral effects, you’ll need to keep your mouth exceptionally clean to stay clear from infections. In addition, a follow-up visit every few months is essential so that any problem can be detected and treated early on. We’d love to see you more often and help you take care of your teeth and mouth!
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