Diabetes patients require a bit of extra dental care. And they can find it at Espire Dental in Casper, Wyoming. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 34.2 million people, or roughly 10 percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease affecting how the body processes glucose or sugar. The pancreas secretes insulin, which moves glucose through the bloodstream and into the cells, producing energy. However, diabetes patients don’t have enough insulin or can’t process it properly. This leads to an excess level of insulin in the body.

Without treatment, diabetes can damage the heart, nervous system, and kidneys. But did you know diabetes can also affect your oral health? If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, visit the dentists at Espire’s Wyoming office to get the expert dental care you need for a healthy mouth and body.

Five ways diabetes affects your mouth

Diabetes affects the whole body, with symptoms ranging from fatigue, excessive thirst, and blurry vision. Yet the disease’s effects can be felt in your mouth, too. If you have diabetes, you may have noticed these five symptoms in your mouth due to high blood sugar levels.

Your mouth feels dry. People with diabetes produce less saliva in the mouth. As a result, your mouth may feel parched. 

You have tooth decay. Your saliva may contain more glucose than normal. And all the sugar washing over your teeth gives bacteria a chance to grow, leading to tooth decay.

You have an infection in your mouth. Diabetes increases the risk of an oral condition called thrush. A fungal infection, thrush symptoms include painful white or red patches in the mouth.

Your mouth doesn’t heal quickly.  When blood sugar levels are normal, your body can heal quickly. But high glucose levels interfere with the healing process, which means any sore or cut in your mouth will stick around for a while.

Your gums are damaged. Just as the excess sugar in the saliva can cause tooth decay, it can also damage your gum tissue from too much bacteria and plaque. Two signs of gum disease are bleeding and pus seeping from the gums.

So how do you take care of your mouth with diabetes?

That’s easy! Practice good oral hygiene. Brush and floss daily to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. And don’t miss those regular dental visits. Your twice-yearly appointments enable your dentist to spot any signs of tooth decay or gum disease in the earliest stages so it can be treated immediately. If you have diabetes, tell your dentist so we can provide you with the extra care you need. 

But in the meantime, you can combat dry mouth and moisten your mouth by drinking plenty of water. Chewing gum can also boost saliva production, but always opt for the sugar-free kind. And if you’re a smoker, quitting is in your best interest. 

As a diabetes patient, you know it’s essential to manage your blood sugar level with medication and diet under the direction of a primary care physician. Doing so will keep both your body and mouth healthy!

The dentists at Espire Dental in Wyoming are ready to help

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Casper, Wyoming, location today! Our highly trained dentists are specially trained to help diabetes patients achieve better oral health. Don’t live near our Casper, Wyoming office? Find one of our other locations near you.

Casper, Wyoming
1530 Centennial Ct. 
Suite A 
Casper, WY 82609