Teeth counting

People who have Diabetes are well aware that the disease can harm their eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other important systems in the body. However, only a few know that this disease can harm the teeth as well. To study the effects of uncontrolled blood sugar on tooth loss more than 37,000 individuals were examined between 1971 and 2012 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study published in Preventing Chronic Disease highlighted the risk and revealed that people with Diabetes lose twice as many teeth as those without the condition. Also, it showed that maintaining good glucose control also plays a crucial role in oral hygiene.

The study also emphasises the need to improve dental self-care and knowledge of Diabetes risks among people with Diabetes. Moreover, good blood glucose control is the key to controlling and preventing mouth problems. People with poor blood glucose control get gum disease more often and more severely than people whose Diabetes is well controlled. Hence, daily brushing and flossing, regular dental check-ups and good blood glucose control are the best defences against the oral complications associated with Diabetes.

Source: Preventing Chronic Disease