Have you been taking great care of your teeth and gums with proper brushing and flossing, yet your oral health deteriorates? It is time to get your blood sugar tested. Diabetes has become one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. Sadly, most of the people who are suffering from it do not even know they have diabetes. Most of the elderly in every family suffer from it, and nowadays, even the young ones are at significant risk of developing diabetes due to stress or unhealthy eating habits. It has been studied that more than 9% of the population in the United States suffers from diabetes, and more than 1.5 million new cases are diagnosed every year. The question that you might be pondering over right now is the connection between diabetes and oral health. Well, diabetes affects the whole body, including your mouth. It would not be wrong to say that people with diabetes are at a much greater risk of problems than people without it. Why are diabetic people at a greater risk for developing oral health problems? Overall health = Oral health, and vice versa. When the blood sugar increases to dangerously high levels and can not be controlled without medicine or insulin, the person is diagnosed with diabetes. The connection of diabetes to poor oral health is linked to high blood sugar. The uncontrolled sugar levels affect and lower the body's immune system, letting the bacteria thrive everywhere in the body, mainly in the mouth. It also makes the blood "sticky," that is, the consistency becomes denser and can cause delayed wound healing due to improper blood and nutrient supply. This is why it is crucial to control blood sugar levels to maintain good oral health and save the body from developing many other complications. Because uncontrolled diabetes does not only result in poor oral health, but it can severely harm your eyes, kidneys, extremities of the body, and other parts.

Many people do not even know that they have diabetes; if you are one of them, look out for the following "warning signs" your body might be giving you: Weight loss Excessive thirst Fatigue Dry mouth Inflamed gums Delayed wound healing If you face any of these problems, get your blood sugar levels checked at the earliest. Oral health problems caused by diabetes Better health, better teeth! People with diabetes are at risk to develop several oral health problems such as: Inflammation of gums: medically known as gingivitis or periodontitis, high blood sugar levels can severely affect the gums mainly because the blood vessels thicken, compromising the blood and nutrient supply. Periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) is a bacterial infection, and uncontrolled diabetes might make the gums more susceptible to it. If not treated at the right time, periodontal disease can lead to losing teeth by making them mobile first. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a decreased salivary flow in the mouth. A dry mouth harbors bacteria easily and puts the person at a higher risk of tooth decay and difficulty speaking and swallowing. Delayed healing of wounds: Due to high blood sugar levels, the whole body's healing mechanism is severely affected. Hence, the person suffers from poor oral tissue healing after a dental procedure like tooth extraction or other surgical procedures. Fungal infections: Diabetes makes a person prone to several infections for which antibiotics are inevitable. Diabetic people already have a weak immune system and take certain medicines that put them at a greater risk of developing oral thrush- a fungal (candidal) infection. Thrush appears as a thick, white layer most commonly on the tongue. Other oral health problems: Due to a tiny amount of saliva in the mouth, the person may develop a burning sensation in the mouth, experience hoarseness in voice, and even lose the ability to taste food.

How can oral health problems be avoided or managed if you have diabetes? Getting diagnosed with diabetes is not the end of your life; there is always a brighter side to look forward to. Your blood sugar levels are already elevated; we don't want your stress levels to go up. After getting diagnosed with diabetes, it is vital to follow your doctor's and dentist's instructions religiously. Control your blood sugar levels, keeping them as close to normal as possible by following proper medication, taking a balanced diet, workout and regular visits to your doctor. Visit the dentist at least twice yearly. To maintain good oral health, it is crucial to imply proper brushing methods (twice daily), flossing, and mouthwash as recommended by your dentist. Before going under any dental procedure or oral surgery, always consult with your doctor and get the blood sugar levels checked. Stay true to your dentist. If you want to avoid oral problems, don't hide even the littlest problem. Suppose you have developed a dry mouth or inflamed gums, inform your dentist. In that case, they will help you manage it by prescribing medications to induce saliva or scaling treatment for periodontal disease. There are no untreatable diseases, and you only have to be aware enough to look into the best options for yourself. With proper oral hygiene maintenance and in-depth professional cleaning of your mouth, you can help keep several dental problems at bay. Things that you can do on your own: Brush and floss twice daily or after every meal to avoid plaque build-up Avoid smoking If you wear a denture, make it a habit to clean it every day Never skip on your medications or appointments with the doctor/dentist Watch what you eat The only one that can take good care of you is YOU! Why should you take care of your oral health and control your diabetes? Some pains are physical, some are mental, while some are emotional, but the one that is all three is dental pain. Therefore, if you experience any of the signs and symptoms relating to diabetes, get your blood sugar checked. Maintaining blood sugar levels is the key to maintaining good oral hygiene because nothing is better than a healthy smile.