Have you thought about your oral health as a diabetic? (Diabetes and Oral Health)

How many things have you been concerned about since the day the doctor told you that you have diabetes? Controlling your blood sugar levels, controlling your diet, taking care of your eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves in your legs... All of this is in your head. But in the meantime, has it occurred to you that you need to think more about your teeth, gums, and oral health than usual? Probably not. But the truth is, there is a bigger, more direct connection between diabetes and our oral health than you think. These are like two sides of the same coin. Let's talk about this important topic today like a close friend.

Why does diabetes affect oral health so much?

Okay, now you're probably thinking, "What's the connection between high blood sugar and toothache?" The connection is right here. Simply put, the main culprit is uncontrolled high blood sugar levels .

Think of our body as a fortress. We have our own army to fight off enemies (bacteria, viruses, etc.) that come to this fortress. These are white blood cells . When blood sugar levels remain high without controlling diabetes, these soldiers in our army, our white blood cells, become weak. Their fighting ability decreases. So the body's ability to fight bacterial infections in the mouth is impaired.

Not only that, but something else happens. Diabetes causes the delicate blood vessels (blood vessels) in our body to thicken. It's like rust building up inside a water pipe. What happens when this happens? Blood flow to delicate areas like the gums slows down. It's the blood that carries nutrients and removes waste. When this process is blocked, the tissues in the mouth don't get the nutrients they need and the waste isn't removed. When these two factors come together, the ability to fight infection is further reduced.

Oral health problems caused by diabetes

Okay, now let's look at the main oral health problems you may face due to these reasons. It is very important to be aware of these.

If you smoke, the risk is skyrocketing!

Imagine you have diabetes. And you also smoke. If you do, you're doing your oral health a huge disservice. Studies have found that people with diabetes who smoke are 20 times more likely to develop gum disease and gum infections than non-smokers . Smoking also reduces blood flow to the gums, which slows down the healing process.

Okay, so how do I maintain my oral health?

Are you scared after reading this? Don't be. The good news is, you can prevent and control all of this. There are a few things you can do to do that. Let's talk about them in order.

1. The root of everything: blood sugar control

This is the most important and first step. Talk to your doctor and do your best to keep your blood sugar levels within the right range. Keep an eye on your HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) test results. Generally, if you can keep this value below 7% , it means that your diabetes is well controlled. If your sugar control is good, the risk of developing oral health problems will simply decrease.

2. Be honest when meeting the dentist.

When you go to the dentist for a cleaning or for a toothache, be sure to tell him these things. Don't hide anything.

• First of all, tell me that you have diabetes.
• Please tell me what your last HbA1c value was.
• Have you ever had low blood sugar (hypoglycemia or insulin reaction) before? If so, how often does it happen, and when was the last time it happened?
• If you take insulin, tell us when you last took your dose.
• Bring a list of all the medications you take for diabetes and other conditions (with dosages). That way, if your dentist has to give you a new medication, you can choose one that won't cause problems with your other medications.
• Give the dentist the name and phone number of the doctor who is treating you. This will help you talk to them if you have any problems.

3. Preparation before dental surgery

If you are planning to have a tooth extracted or have gum surgery, talk to your doctor beforehand and get advice. They may tell you to take antibiotics before the surgery, or change your diet or insulin dosage. Talk to your dentist about all of this and coordinate it.

4. Daily oral hygiene habits

These are important for everyone, with or without diabetes. But you can't avoid them.

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after each meal, with a good fluoride toothpaste. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush .
• Use dental floss to clean between your teeth at least once a day .
• If you wear dentures, remove them every night and clean them thoroughly.
• Have your teeth and gums checked and cleaned by a dentist at least once every 6 months .
• If you smoke, talk to your doctor for help to quit.

Misconceptions about diabetes and teeth in society

Sometimes we are simply scared by the things we hear. Let's talk about some of those misconceptions.

Misconception 1: "People with diabetes eat more tooth worms."

There are two theories about this. One theory is that people with uncontrolled diabetes have high levels of sugar in their saliva, which encourages bacteria to grow and increases the risk of tooth decay. The other theory is that people with diabetes are more careful about their diet, especially sugar, and therefore eat less sugary foods that are bad for their teeth, and therefore have less tooth decay.

Fact: If you control your diabetes well and follow good oral hygiene habits, your risk of developing gum disease is no greater than that of someone without diabetes.

Misconception 2: "When you have diabetes, your teeth will fall out anyway."

This is completely wrong. If diabetes is not controlled, it can lead to severe gum disease, the bone that supports the teeth can melt, and the teeth can fall out. That's true. But it's not a certainty. If you control your sugar, brush and floss your teeth daily, and see your dentist on time, you can keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime.

Misconception 3: "If you pull a tooth, the wound won't heal, it will fester."

This is also something that many people fear. Yes, if you have a tooth extracted when your blood sugar levels are very high, the wound may not heal properly and there is a risk of infection. However, if you keep your diabetes under control and follow your doctor and dentist's instructions carefully, the problems that arise after surgery are no more severe than those that occur in someone without diabetes.