It doesn’t matter if you have Type I or Type II diabetes. You have to manage your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels increases your
chances of having the following dental problems.

Tooth Decay or Cavities

Bacteria naturally lives in your mouth. Plaque forms because of the interaction between these bacteria and sugar from food and drinks. Plaque contains acid that attacks the enamel in the teeth eventually leading to cavities. If you have a lot of blood sugar, the bacteria in your mouth will have more to feed on and the chances of cavity forming plaque increases.

Gingivitis

Diabetes weakens the body’s ability to fight against bacteria. This leads to more plaque build up. Tartar forms when plaque is not removed with regular brushing and flossing. Tartar is a hard substance that forms in the gumline. It irritates the gums and causes it to bleed easily. This is called gingivitis. In short, diabetes makes you more susceptible to gingivitis.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a disease leading from gingivitis. This disease destroys the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. With the body’s ability to fight bacteria weakened, people with diabetes tend to have more severe cases of periodontitis. On the flip side, periodontitis can also worsen diabetes because it increases the level of blood sugar.

What You Can Do

Take it seriously! You have to be disciplined enough to watch your blood sugar levels and do what the doctor tells you to make sure you stay within your target range.

Brush your teeth regularly. Twice a day is the absolute minimum for brushing your teeth. Ideally, you should brush your teeth after every meal. The toothbrush you use should be the soft-bristled ones while the toothpaste should have fluoride. Don’t brush too hard so you don’t irritate your gums.

Use an electric toothbrush if necessary.

Use dental floss at least once a day to remove plaque from your gumline and betwen your teeth.

At least twice a year, visit your dentist for professional cleaning. Remember to eat before each cleaning so you don’t suffer from too low blood sugar.

Kick the habit. Smoking can worsen your diabetes and dental problems. Quitting can help you manage diabetes and have a healthier mouth.