Does Diabetes affect oral health? What kind of precautions need to be taken before dental surgery in case the person has Diabetes? Tooth and gum problems can happen to anyone, but people with Diabetes appear to have tooth and gum problems more often, especially if their blood sugar levels are high. High blood sugar levels can worsen tooth and gum problems. It may also result in tooth loss. Smoking makes it more likely for you to get a bad case of gum disease, especially if you have Diabetes and are 45 years or older. The first sign of gum disease are red, sore and bleeding gums. These problems can lead to periodontitis, an infection in the gums and bones that holds the teeth in place. If the infection gets worse, gums may pull away from the teeth, making the teeth look long. In addition, uncontrolled Diabetes causes xerostomia (dry mouth), burning sensation in the mouth (secondary to nerve involvement), increased infections especially candidiasis (fungal infection) and parotid salivary gland enlargement. Consult your dentist at the earliest if you think you have problems with your teeth or gums.Precautions to be taken before dental surgery:Plan ahead. Good sugar control is always recommended before any surgical procedure to help with good outcome of the procedure. Uncontrolled sugar levels delay the healing process and also increase the risk of infections.You may be recommended Diabetes medication to normalise your blood glucose levels. Consult your doctor and dentist before the visit on how to better care for your blood sugar levels during the dental work.If your mouth is sore after the dental work, you might not be able to eat or chew for several hours or days. Ask your doctor for guidance on how to adjust your normal routine while your mouth is healing.Check your blood sugar levels often and maintain required intake of foods and drinks as recommended by the dentist.- Dr Ankur Sharma,Consulting Diabetologist
Does Diabetes affect oral health? What kind of precautions need to be taken before dental surgery in case the person has Diabetes? Tooth and gum problems can happen to anyone, but people with Diabetes appear to have tooth and gum problems more often, especially if their blood sugar levels are high. High blood sugar levels can worsen tooth and gum problems. It may also result in tooth loss. Smoking makes it more likely for you to get a bad case of gum disease, especially if you have Diabetes and are 45 years or older. The first sign of gum disease are red, sore and bleeding gums. These problems can lead to periodontitis, an infection in the gums and bones that holds the teeth in place. If the infection gets worse, gums may pull away from the teeth, making the teeth look long. In addition, uncontrolled Diabetes causes xerostomia (dry mouth), burning sensation in the mouth (secondary to nerve involvement), increased infections especially candidiasis (fungal infection) and parotid salivary gland enlargement. Consult your dentist at the earliest if you think you have problems with your teeth or gums.Precautions to be taken before dental surgery:Plan ahead. Good sugar control is always recommended before any surgical procedure to help with good outcome of the procedure. Uncontrolled sugar levels delay the healing process and also increase the risk of infections.You may be recommended Diabetes medication to normalise your blood glucose levels. Consult your doctor and dentist before the visit on how to better care for your blood sugar levels during the dental work.If your mouth is sore after the dental work, you might not be able to eat or chew for several hours or days. Ask your doctor for guidance on how to adjust your normal routine while your mouth is healing.Check your blood sugar levels often and maintain required intake of foods and drinks as recommended by the dentist.- Dr Ankur Sharma,Consulting Diabetologist
